Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

General Chemistry Students' Perceived Self-Efficacy After Completing Project-Based Service-Learning Activities, Sarah Quast Sliker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A New England community college reported that 60% of General Chemistry college students, who were science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors, did not advance in the STEM curriculum. To potentially increase student persistence in STEM curriculum, this qualitative case study project explored the self-efficacy perceptions of General Chemistry students after participating in project-based service-learning with elementary-school students. Bandura's social cognitive theory provided the conceptual framework for the study, supporting an understanding of learner self-efficacy. Research questions focused on chemistry students perceived self-efficacy after interactions with elementary-school students, teamwork, and the development of a project. Semistructured interviews with 10 participants …