NAME: Akanni Moses Olugbenga

MATRIC NO: 2230110025

Author Name: Soladoye Lameed
Date of Publication: March, 2024

UNDERGRADUATE SCIENCE EDUCATION STUDENTS’ AWARENESS OF

PROSPECTS IN STEM
ABSTRACT
This paper delves into the awareness levels of undergraduate science education students
regarding the potential of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
education in addressing poverty and aligning with the sustainable development goals of the
United Nations. The study employed a descriptive survey design, sampling 261 science
education students randomly from the Department of Science and Technology Education at
Lagos State University. The sample consisted of 178 females and 83 males, with varying
concentrations in biology education, chemistry education, physics education, and computer
science education. A questionnaire titled "Undergraduate Science Education Students'
Awareness of Prospects in STEM Education," boasting a reliability coefficient of 0.78, was
utilized for data collection. The data analysis involved simple percentage calculations and the
Man-Whitney U test. The findings revealed that undergraduate science education students
generally exhibit a high level of awareness regarding the potential benefits of STEM education,
particularly in combating poverty. Moreover, the study uncovered that there was no significant
difference in the level of awareness between male and female students regarding the prospects in
STEM education. This study's conclusions highlight the considerable awareness among science
education students regarding STEM education's potential in poverty alleviation. It emphasizes
the critical role that STEM disciplines can play in addressing societal challenges and advancing
sustainable development efforts. Moving forward, the paper suggests recommendations and
implications for STEM education. These may include fostering interdisciplinary approaches in
STEM education curricula, promoting gender inclusivity and diversity in STEM fields,
enhancing outreach programs to raise public awareness about STEM opportunities, and
strengthening collaborations between academia, industry, and government bodies to support
STEM initiatives and innovation. In essence, this paper contributes valuable insights into the
awareness levels and perceptions of undergraduate science education students regarding STEM
education's potential in combating poverty and contributing to sustainable development agendas.