Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Social Networks And Science Identity: Does Peer Commitment Matter?, Grace Maridyth Kelly

Department of Sociology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

White men continue to be overrepresented in STEM fields compared to women and minorities, despite several decades of scholarly interest the disparity. Studies have shown that early adolescence is when children begin to lose interest in science. It is also in this period, that children start to develop ideas and stereotypes about who should be a scientist. It is essential that youth are able to see themselves as science kinds of people. Students who have strong science identities have been shown to perform better in science classes, retain interest in science and continue on to STEM careers. During adolescence, peer …