What motivates children and teenagers to learn STEM subjects?
A qualitative-quantitative study among 10- to 16-year-olds
The SINUS study “What motivates STEM learning?” was conducted by SINUS on behalf of the Deutsche Telekom Foundation. The aim of the study was to identify factors that promote the motivation of 10- to 16-year-old children and young people to learn math and science subjects. The study examines how attitudes towards STEM subjects develop and which conditions can increase enthusiasm for these subjects in order to arouse long-term interest in STEM professions.
The study is based on a two-stage research approach:
- Qualitative interviews: 40 children and young people were questioned in in-home interviews to gain deeper insights into their personal experiences and opinions.
- Representative survey: Building on this, a quantitative survey with 863 participants was conducted in fall 2024 to validate and expand the qualitative findings.
The results show that STEM subjects such as mathematics, physics and chemistry are often perceived as less popular than other subjects. Mathematics is particularly polarizing: although around three quarters of respondents rate themselves as good to very good at mathematics, only 36% say they actually like the subject. In addition, only 29% can imagine taking up a profession in which mathematics plays a central role.
Four key drivers of STEM motivation were identified:
- Teachers: The teacher acts as a “multible enabler” who makes a decisive contribution to STEM motivation through a positive learning environment, support and a conducive error culture.
- Time: Sufficient time to deepen and understand the content is essential.
- Relevance to everyday life: A practical and real-world relevance of the content increases the relevance of the subjects for the students.
- Practical learning: Opportunities for independent and in-depth work promote motivation.
The study emphasizes the importance of practice-oriented, interdisciplinary STEM lessons. It provides impetus for contemporary STEM education that meets the needs of pupils. The aim is not only to improve school performance, but also to awaken long-term enthusiasm for STEM professions.