- Award ID(s):
- 1642315
- PAR ID:
- 10110688
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering 2019
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 459 to 467
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Researchers emphasize the role of math and science identities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. However, little is known about whether these identities might evolve during college; likewise it is not known how changes in math and science identities are associated with switching majors between STEM and non-STEM fields. This study addresses these questions. With data from the Pathways through College Study, this study revealed that science identity changes matter more than math identity changes in their association with the decision to switch majors. Most notably, underrepresented racial minority women are the most vulnerable in terms of decreasing science identity and the associated probabilities of leaking out of STEM. The authors also find evidence that Asian students are the least sensitive to their science identity drop. These findings have significant policy implications with regard to STEM choice and attainment.