Accidental Scientists

How Undergraduate Research in Political Science Can Help to Patch the “Leaky Pipeline” in STEM Education

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12379526
AutoresLisa Mueller (0000-0003-3524-3371, Macalester College, autor correspondente)
Ano2023
Volume56
Fascículo4
Páginas506-511
Data de publicação2023-01-31
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPS Political Science & Politics (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1049-0965 • E-ISSN: 1537-5935
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1049096522001263
OpenAlexW4318595353
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas20

Education advocates lament the “leaky pipeline” in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), whereby students—especially minorities and women—drop out of STEM at successive stages of the educational system. Defining empirical political science as a branch of STEM, this article proposes that undergraduate research in political science can help to patch this leaky pipeline and expand access to scientific skills and habits of mind. I elaborate on three rationales to support my claim: (1) political science is a relatively diverse field of STEM; (2) college primes students to think like (political) scientists; and (3) students often encounter political science research opportunities for the first time as undergraduates, presenting an opportunity for faculty to “catch” those who selected out of STEM after high school. I substantiate my arguments by drawing on enrollment data, archival documents, the theories of John Dewey, and testimonials from former undergraduate researchers. I also recommend ways for political science departments to provide a meaningful STEM education by enhancing research programs

Engineering ethics · Lament · Mathematics education · Pipeline (software · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Science education · Science, technology, society and environment education · Sociology · Academic Freedom and Politics · Computer Science · Educator Training and Historical Pedagogy · Engineering · Innovative Teaching Methodologies in Social Sciences · Law · Psychology