Abstract
Purpose: The purposes of this study were to determine if there were significant differences between eighth-grade students who experienced a constructivist-designed robotics physical science instructional program and students who experienced a traditional physical science instructional program in the area of achievement as measured by standards-based tests, participation in advanced science courses in high school, and interests in science, technology, and engineering majors in postsecondary education and related careers. Methodology: This study employed mixed-methods research. Causal comparative quantitative methodologies were used to analyze the results of the physical science questions of the California Standards Test (CST) in Grade 8 Science. A frequency analysis was completed to determine enrollment rates in advanced high school science courses. Focus groups were used to identify themes and patterns associated with the participants' interest in science, technology, and engineering college majors and related careers. Findings: The results indicate there was a significant difference for one group of students on the physical science test items of the CST in Grade 8 Science. There was no significant difference in the enrollment. There was a small difference regarding interest in science, technology, and engineering college majors and related careers. Ten themes emerged about student recollections and perceptions of their eighth-grade physical science experience. Conclusions: There may be some benefit to students who participate in a robotics instructional program during eighth-grade physical science based on one group of students' performance on the CST in Grade 8 Science. The overall impact may be small based on the effect size. There was no correlation between later enrollment rates in advanced high school science courses based on the physical science program experienced by eighth-grade students. There may be a small connection between students' interest level in science, technology, and engineering college majors and related careers for students who participated in the robotics program compared to students who participated in the traditional program. Recommendations: It is recommended that a similar study using a true experimental design be conducted with consideration given to the teacher as a variable. It is also recommended that a similar study be undertaken in a setting with different demographics. Additionally, a study should be conducted that investigates parental influence on student interest levels in science, technology, and engineering college majors and related careers.