Diving Into the Realm of STEM and Politics

Abstract

According to the 2018, National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) report, Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics (STEM) majors do not vote at high rates compared to non-STEM majors at East Carolina University and around the country. We believe this is a pressing issue that should be addressed. Going back to the fundamentals of education, we created the first ever East Carolina University Honors College Seminar developed by students, for students, to address the lack of voting among STEM majors. The seminar is currently being taught this semester (Spring 2023) by Dr. Mosier, a professor in the Political Science Department. The course emphasizes the importance of scientifically sound civic engagement and political participation for STEM majors and other STEM interested students. As a result of new research, we are shifting our efforts to the East Carolina University student body, but still with a focus on STEM-related topics. By the Fall of 2023, we plan to have this topic implemented into the COAD 1000-Student Development and Learning in Higher Education course.