Leveraging communal experiences in the curriculum: Increasing interest in pursuing engineering by changing stereotypic expectations

• DOI: 10.1111/jasp.12438
• Publication Date: 2017-05-03T09:02:42Z
• Authors: Aimee L. Belanger; Amanda B. Diekman; Mia Steinberg
• Keywords: Service-Learning

Abstract The goal congruity perspective suggests that students may not enter engineering, in part, because they believe engineering is unlikely to fulfill communal, other‐oriented goals. Increasing beliefs fulfills communal goals can increase interest. We examine how actual and expected experiences science, technology, math (STEM) shape Study 1 demonstrates past STEM predict greater positive attitudes. Using experimental methods, studies 2 3 demonstrate including a service‐learning project an course description increases the These findings suggest experiences, service learning particular, interest participation engineering.