How to Motivate Students to Succeed in STEM
May 27, 2025
Motivating students in STEM is tricky: Students perceive science, technology, engineering, and math-related classes as too hard; they come to the coursework with vastly different levels of support from home; and students must master foundational concepts or risk getting left behind as material becomes increasingly complex.
Students, though, can offer teachers valuable insights into what motivates them to tackle challenging STEM subjects. And teachers, in turn, can use their own excitement about the subject matter to make their classes more engaging by connecting concepts to the real world.
Solving the STEM motivation equation is an important goal for schools. STEM skills are in demand and can lead to potentially lucrative careers for students.
This special report features new survey data from the EdWeek Research Center from both educators and students on what—and who—most motivates students to pursue STEM learning.
Students, though, can offer teachers valuable insights into what motivates them to tackle challenging STEM subjects. And teachers, in turn, can use their own excitement about the subject matter to make their classes more engaging by connecting concepts to the real world.
Solving the STEM motivation equation is an important goal for schools. STEM skills are in demand and can lead to potentially lucrative careers for students.
This special report features new survey data from the EdWeek Research Center from both educators and students on what—and who—most motivates students to pursue STEM learning.
Science From Our Research Center Want to Motivate Students in STEM? The Way You Explain Things MattersHow teachers explain tricky math and science concepts can affect students' motivation in their STEM classes.
Student Achievement From Our Research Center Many Kids' Parents Didn't Go to College. You Can Still Motivate Them in STEMStudents whose parents did not go to college often do not feel they have the necessary support to excel STEM subjects.
Science From Our Research Center Students Don't Think Cellphones Distract Them From Learning STEM. Teachers DisagreeNew surveys of teens and teachers show how far apart the two groups are on this issue.
Science Q&A Teachers, Parents, or Peers: Who Motivates Students Most to Pursue STEM?Encouragement from adults—like teachers, school counselors, and parents—is crucial for motivating students in STEM.
Teaching Profession From Our Research Center STEM Teachers Tell Us What Gets Them Jazzed About WorkTeaching STEM classes can be difficult and frustrating, because many students lack the confidence or skills to tackle those subjects.
The Lemelson Foundation supports Education Week’s coverage of problem solving and student motivation. Through its work, the Foundation seeks to increase access to Invention Education and entrepreneurship programs to cultivate the next generation of impact inventors, and strengthen the supporting environment needed for invention-based businesses to thrive.