The Relationship of Sports Participation on Social Skill Development Among Alpha Generation in STEM Education: A Quantitative Analysis of Teamwork, Communication, and Leadership

Generation Alpha faces challenges in developing essential social skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership, particularly in STEM education settings. This study examined the impact of sports participation on social skill development among 299 STEM-oriented Malaysian secondary students aged 15. A quantitative approach using validated instruments (SEM:CY, TSFY, PLCQ-SR, and ILI-Y) was employed. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and ANOVA with Tukey HSD were used for analysis. Results showed moderate to high levels of social skills, with teamwork highest. Significant positive correlations were found between sports frequency and teamwork ($\mathrm{r}=.412, \mathrm{p}\lt.001$), leadership, and communication. Students participating $\geq 5$ days/week reported significantly stronger social skills. Findings highlight the importance of structured, frequent sports engagement in enhancing social-emotional growth among STEM students. Schools should integrate accessible sports programs to foster holistic development.