First Results of Students Attending a STEM Program in the Context of Digitisation

The 21st-century skills and the 4 C's (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity) are currently the focal point of future education. An increasing number of programs addressing these crucial topics are being embedded in school curricula. However, knowledge about the effects of such programs is scarce. This work-in-progress study presents the initial results of students participating in a three-year STEM outreach program named DIGISTEM, spanning grades 10 to 12, within the context of digitization. A total of
$N_{\mathbf{sum}}=218$
students at the end of the 10th grade (around age 16) took part in the quasi-experimental study.
$N_{\mathbf{digi}}=54$
students (31 female, 22 male, 1 other) were enrolled in the DIGISTEM program, while
$N_{\mathbf{CG}}=162$
students (89 female, 62 male, 13 other) from the same school did not participate in the program. The assessed variables included subject knowledge in mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry, subject interests, motivation in STEM lessons, vocational orientation, the use of digital media in learning contexts, and motivation through digital media in lessons. The results revealed significant differences between students in the program and the control group concerning the use of digital media in learning contexts, vocational orientation, motivation in STEM lessons, and STEM content knowledge. Further findings, such as how students use digital media and tablets for learning contexts, are explored. The findings are discussed in the context of existing research and in terms of practical implications for schools and STEM outreach support programs.