Examining STEM attitudes for Chinese senior pupils in primary school

This study aimed to determine pupils’ attitudes about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in China. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data from senior primary school pupils for a quantitative research study into their attitudes towards STEM. The survey collated attitudes towards three STEM subject subdimensions (i.e. mathematics attitude, science attitude, engineering and technology attitude) and STEM career interest using 42 items. Online data were collected from 864 senior primary school pupils (664 fifth graders, and 200 sixth graders). The data analysis included descriptive analysis and correlation analysis, specifically Pearson’s and Spearman’s rank correlations. The descriptive analysis showed that the STEM attitudes of Chinese senior primary school pupils were at a moderate level. The correlation analyses showed significant relationships between STEM attitudes and gender, grade, STEM experience or a lack of STEM experience, and parents’ educational background.