The Effect of a Science Camp on Elementary Students’ Science Identity and Their Perceptions of Science, Scientists, and STEM Careers

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Veröffentlicht in:Education Sciences vol. 15, no. 10 (2025), p. 1367-1390
1. Verfasser: Elsun, Seung
Weitere Verfasser: Park Soonhye
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MDPI AG
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100 1 |a Elsun, Seung  |u Center for Science Education, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA 
245 1 |a The Effect of a Science Camp on Elementary Students’ Science Identity and Their Perceptions of Science, Scientists, and STEM Careers 
260 |b MDPI AG  |c 2025 
513 |a Journal Article 
520 3 |a This mixed-methods research investigated the impact of a summer science camp—developed in conjunction with an elementary science methods course—on elementary students’ science identity, perceptions of science, scientists, and STEM careers. Data were collected from a total of 40 students in Grades 2–6 who attended the camp. The pre- and post-camp science identity surveys and focus group interviews were conducted at both the beginning and end of the camp. Data were analyzed using paired-samples t-tests and the constant comparative method. Data analysis revealed a significant overall increase (p = 0.008) in participants’ science identity scores following their participation in the summer science camp. Additionally, participants began to focus more on the epistemic goals of scientific investigations, rather than merely viewing science as experimentation. Their understanding of scientists’ work became more sophisticated, reflecting improved awareness of various scientific fields, types of scientists, specific experiments, and equipment. Participants also reported that camp activities more closely resembled the work scientists do, compared to their typical school science experiences. Most participants appeared to develop a heightened interest in science through the camp, which in turn fostered more positive attitudes toward pursuing STEM careers. 
653 |a Higher education 
653 |a Students 
653 |a STEM professions 
653 |a Scientists 
653 |a Teaching methods 
653 |a Careers 
653 |a Curricula 
653 |a STEM education 
653 |a Inquiry method 
653 |a Influence 
653 |a Science education 
653 |a Self-efficacy 
653 |a Qualitative research 
653 |a Attitudes 
653 |a Learning 
653 |a Data analysis 
653 |a Data collection 
653 |a Elementary education 
653 |a Literature Reviews 
653 |a High School Students 
653 |a Construct Validity 
653 |a Curriculum Development 
653 |a Experiential Learning 
653 |a Influence of Technology 
653 |a Active Learning 
653 |a Hands on Science 
653 |a Elementary School Science 
653 |a Learning Experience 
653 |a Cooperative Learning 
653 |a Laboratory Experiments 
653 |a Elementary School Students 
653 |a Graduate Study 
653 |a Ethnic Groups 
653 |a Aspiration 
653 |a Learner Engagement 
653 |a Grade 2 
653 |a Developmental Stages 
653 |a Camps 
653 |a Inquiry 
653 |a Informal Education 
700 1 |a Park Soonhye  |u Department of STEM Education, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; spark26@ncsu.edu 
773 0 |t Education Sciences  |g vol. 15, no. 10 (2025), p. 1367-1390 
786 0 |d ProQuest  |t Education Database 
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