Microsoft Corp. announced the findings of two national surveys in September, conducted online by Harris Interactive, of college students currently pursuing STEM degrees and of parents of K–12 students. The goal of the surveys was to gain insight about what can better prepare and inspire students to pursue post-secondary education in STEM subjects.
Nearly four in five STEM college students said they decided to study STEM in high school or earlier (78 %). But only one in five felt that their K–12 education prepared them extremely well for their college courses in STEM.
Parents of K–12 students (93 %) believe that STEM education should be a priority in the U.S. But only 24 percent are extremely willing to spend extra money helping their children be successful in their math and science classes.
More than half (57 %) of STEM college students said that before going to college, a teacher or class got them interested in STEM (20 %). This is especially true of female students (68 % versus 51 % of males) who chose “a teacher or class” as the top factor that sparked their interest. But male students (51 % ) were more likely to pursue STEM because they have always enjoyed playing with games and toys, and participating in clubs focused on their chosen subject areas (like SECME).
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2011/sep11/09-07MSSTEMSurveyPR.mspx and here’s an eye-catching infographic that summarizes it
http://mashable.com/2011/09/07/stem-microsoft-infographic/
