Mexico hosts a large number of modern firms, notably in the sectors of aerospace, automobiles, foods and beverages, which employ high-skilled and well-educated workers. Therefore, Graduates from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields are both in high demand in the labor market and among the most highly paid. Even though, 30.9% of Mexican employers report having faced difficulties finding people with the necessary skills to fill vacancies in STEM areas. Three universities in the northwest region of Mexico conformed a STEM network aiming to promote enrollment, retention and gender equality on STEM careers. An instrument based on Questionnaire ROSE-Q or “Relevance of Science Education” allowed gathering information that allows measuring relevant indicators to support the design of actions and strategies. The project was carried out with funds granted in 2016 from the National Council on Science and Technology (CONACYT). The main indicators impacting the STEM career choice of students are about cultural training, youth identity, and gender equity.
References
[1]
Archer, L., DeWitt, J., Osborne, J., Dillon, J., Willis, B., & Wong, B. (2012). Science Aspirations, Capital, and Family Habitus: How Families Shape Children’s Engagement and Identification with Science. American Educational Research Journal, 49, 881-908.
https://doi.org/10.3102/0002831211433290
[2]
Bjørnstad, R., Fredriksen, D., Gjelsvik, M. L., & Stølen, N. M. (2008). Supply and Demand for Labour According to Education, 1986-2025 (Vol. 2008/29, SSB-Rapport). Statistics Norway.
[3]
Blickenstaff, J. (2005). Women and Science Careers: Leaky Pipeline or Gender (Vol. 17). Gender and Education: Taylor & Francis.
[4]
Boe, M. V., Henriksen, E. K., Lyons, T., & Schreiner, C. (2011). Participation in Science and Technology: Young People’s Achievement-Related Choices in Late-Modern Societies. Studies in Science Education, 47, 37-72. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057267.2011.549621
[5]
Henriksen, E., Dillon, J., & Ryder, J. (2015). Understanding Student Participation and Choice in Science and Technology Education. Berlin: Springer.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7793-4
[6]
Hill, C., Corbett, C., & St. Rose, A. (2010). Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Washington DC: American Association of University Women.
[7]
National Association of Universities and Institutions of Higher Education [ANUIES] (2013). Higher Education Indicators.
http://www.anuies.mx/informacion-y-servicios/informacion-estadistica-de-educacion -superior/anuario-estadistico-de-educacion-superior
[8]
National Council on Science and Technology (CONACYT) (2016). http://conacyt.gob.mx/
[9]
National Science Board (NSF) (2014). Science and Engineering Indicators 2014.
https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind14/content/etc/nsb1401.pdf
[10]
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2015). The ABC of Gender in Education.
[11]
Schreiner, C., & Sjoberg, S. (2004). Sowing the Seeds of ROSE Background, Rationale, Questionnaire Development and Data Collection for ROSE. A Comparative Study of Students Views of Science and Science Education. Oslo: Department of Teacher Education and School Development, University of Oslo.
[12]
Soumitra, D. (2011). The Global Innovation Index, 2011: Accelerating Growth and Development.
https://www.globalinnovationindex.org/userfiles/file/gii-2011_report.pdf