Journal ArticleConstructing <scp>STEM</scp> identity: An expanded structural model for <scp>STEM</scp> identity researchDou, Remy [Department of Teaching and Learning Florida International University Miami Florida USA] (ORCID:000000018419265X); Cian, Heidi [Department of Teaching and Learning Florida International University Miami Florida USA] (ORCID:0000000335102712)An individual's sense of themselves as a “STEM person” is largely formed through recognition feedback. Un- fortunately, for many minoritized individuals who engage in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathe- matics) in formal and informal spaces, this recognition often adheres to long!standing exclusionary expectations of what STEM participation entails and institutionalized stereotypes of what it means to be a STEM person. However, caregivers, who necessarily share cultural backgrounds, norms, and values with their children, can play an important role in recognizing their children's in- terest and inclination towards STEM in ways that support children's authoring of their STEM identity in the face of these marginalizing discourses. To explore this idea, we conducted phenomenological interviews with STEM stu- dents attending a Hispanic!serving university, examining the nature of STEM!related conversations these students had with their parents during childhood. Participant re- collections provide evidence of conversational content, contexts, and structures that supported their identifica- tion with STEM even when faced with marginalizing ex- periences. We found that though this phenomenon was recounted across parent profiles, participant narratives also reflected differences in conversation content, con- text, and structure based on factors associated with STEM stereotypes, including gender, formal education or training in STEM, and parents' immigration experiences. Viewed within larger sociocultural discourses of whose knowledge “counts” in STEM, our work suggests the need for edu- cational institutions to acknowledge and embrace families' ability to foster youths' affinity with STEM contexts, while also recognizing and responding to institutionalized im- pediments to authentic STEM participation.2021-11-0610309067Journal of Research in Science Teaching0022-4308https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.217341846167National Science Foundation