PERC 2011 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | The effect of immigration status on physics identity and physical science career intentions |
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| Abstract: | Using data collected from a nationally-representative sample of first-year college students, we examine how students' identity development as physics persons and their likelihood to pursue a career in physical science is predicted by differing immigrant experiences. We consider broad factors having a social, economic, or cultural nature as covariates in a propensity score model that assesses differences due to immigrant generation. Our results show that, when controlling for such factors as race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, and gender, students' physics identities and the likelihood of choosing a career in physical science are significantly higher amongst first generation students than second generation (or later) students. We conclude that physical science as a career option can be influenced by the experiences of being an immigrant and through the relationship between origin and host culture. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Geoff Potvin Department of Engineering & Science Education, and Department of Mathematical Sciences Holtzendorff Hall Clemson University Clemson, SC 29634 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Florin Lung Department of Engineering & Science Education Clemson University Gerhard Sonnert Science Education Department Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Philip M. Sadler Science Education Department Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics |
