“My internship supervisor asked us to do research on interest-based learning, and students’ transfer of knowledge from STEM programs. I’m seeking literature that looks at how students transfer the knowledge, skills and interest they get from informal STEM programs to formal learning in schools; or how their experience with informal STEM programs influences their career goals and other life choices. So far, I can’t find many relevant documents. I was wondering whether you have any suggestions about which scholars I can look at, or which studies (especially long-term) are relevant to this topic. Thanks so much for your help!”
They have another for disadvantaged children where they had a special grant program and did some assessment. Your student should be able to find that, or let me know…
Perhaps a broader perspective on things would be looking at STEM through the eyes of Arts Integration, a field in its own right, which integrates Arts Education with other subject areas such as Literacy or Mathematics. It would be more appropriate to say STEAM (adding the A for arts). But the idea is the same, transferring the knowledge students gain in one experience to another. For example, students learn detailed observation through drawing (of a plant or object in nature), then use these observational skills in their science journal… I hope this helps.
I would also recommend that you be more specific on the skills you are talking about. Collaboration skills? Observation skills? Fine motor skills? Critical thinking? Use these terms in your search.
