What Makes Learning Physics Interesting? A Gender Study with Middle School Students

Abstract

This study examines 6^th grade students perceptions of physics and physics-related careers. The overarching goal of this work is to understand similarities and differences between girls’ and boys’ perceptions of physics and how girl-friendly and integrated STEM strategies might affect these perceptions. This convergent parallel mixed-methods study uses surveys and focus group interviews to understand these perceptions. Findings show that small differences exist in these perceptions, which may increase over time and result in the underrepresentation of women in the STEM workforce.