How Can Educators Boost STEM Confidence? Read Our Latest Research

How can educators boost students’ STEM confidence? While providing hands-on, open-ended learning experiences often can spark curiosity and inspire a newfound love for science and math, many students experience feelings of anxiety and intimidation when attempting to engage in STEM.

Educators can help their students overcome such anxiety through invention education – an approach to learning that guides students to develop their own solutions to real-world problems by engaging in the invention process. Read on to learn how research demonstrates the growth of students’ STEM confidence through this powerful pedagogy.

Evaluating the Effects of Invention Education

Recent research conducted by the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® in partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology measured how invention education experiences help students become less anxious and more engaged in their learning so they can reach their potential.

In the summer of 2023, researchers conducted a study at 20 sites in both suburban and rural settings throughout Georgia and Ohio where educators ran Camp Invention^® – the National Inventors Hall of Fame’s flagship summer program providing invention education experiences for grades K-6.

The researchers focused their findings on invention education’s benefits impacting three areas: science and math interest, science and math anxiety, and problem-solving and inventing skills.

Moving From Math and Science Anxiety to STEM Confidence

For a look at the results of this encouraging research, read an excerpt from the National Inventors Hall of Fame’s latest white paper:

Assessing children’s feelings about learning math and science both before and after Camp Invention, researchers gained an understanding of how invention education might help them to reduce anxiety and cultivate a healthier perception of their own abilities.

Survey results showed that students who began their Camp Invention participation with low levels of STEM engagement reported a reduction in their feelings of nervousness, confusion and worry at the end of their program experience. The greatest changes were seen in these students’ worries about learning science and solving math problems. These students also increasingly agreed with statements that expressed feelings of confidence and pride, such as “I know I can do well in science” and “I feel good about myself when I do math.”

By helping them [children] make positive STEM connections and reduce their anxieties, invention education may help students discover a sense of freedom – the freedom to pursue new interests, take risks, and confidently explore and express their creativity.

STEM anxiety is a common roadblock, but in a supportive learning environment, educators can alleviate this by highlighting the relevance of STEM subjects. With fun, hands-on invention challenges, students can build 21st-century skills that will make them more confident collaborators, communicators and creative problem solvers.

Read the Full White Paper Today

Want more details on this exciting new research? To learn more about how invention education can boost student confidence in STEM, download our free white paper.