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The purpose of this study was to determine if fifth grade students’ self-concept,value/importance, and interest in mathematics, science, and technology were differentafter the implementation of Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Launch. An additionalpurpose of the study was to determine if the change in fifth grade students’ self-concept,value/importance, and interest in mathematics, science, and technology was affected bygender or the selected STEM units taught. Fifth grade students from two elementaryschools in the Center School District were administered a survey before and after theimplementation of PLTW Launch.The results of the data analysis revealed that fifth grade students’ self-concept,value/importance, and interest in mathematics, science, and technology was largelyunchanged after PLTW Launch implementation. Additional analysis determined that thechange in fifth grade students’ self-concept, value/importance, and interest inmathematics, science, and technology after PLTW Launch implementation was alsolargely unaffected by gender and the selected STEM units taught. Of the 27 hypothesestested, only three hypotheses were supported by the data. First, self-concept of sciencewas significantly different after PLTW Launch implementation. Second, self-concept ofscience was affected by gender. Lastly, self-concept of mathematics was affected by theselected STEM units taught.Due to the weak results of this study and the study lasting only one year, schoolleaders should not rely solely on this study to determine if PLTW Launch is theirprogram of choice to improve student attitudes toward mathematics, science, andtechnology. Additionally, school leaders should use caution when considering PLTW Launch as the program of choice to increase female students’ attitudes towardmathematics, science, and technology. School leaders should feel confident that makingcurricular changes to PLTW Launch to match state standards would not have adverseeffects on student attitudes. While professional development was not a variable in thisstudy, due to the weak results, school leaders should provide extensive professionaldevelopment when implementing PLTW Launch.Recommendations for further research are to include a larger sample of studentsfrom multiple elementary grades. Additionally, future research should utilize a mixedmethods design to include interviews with students and teachers. Future research shouldalso include achievement data to allow the researcher to make comparisons with thecurrent literature that is mostly achievement centered. Lastly, future research shouldinclude an equivalent control group allowing the researcher to compare students’attitudes after PLTW Launch implementation with students who did not experiencePLTW Launch. |
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