Representation of Industry in Introductory Biology Textbooks: A Missed Opportunity to Advance STEM Learning.

ABSTRACT: The majority of students who enroll in undergraduate biology courses will eventually be employed in non-STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) business occupations. This work explores how representations of industry in undergraduate biology textbooks could impact STEM learning for these students and their ability to apply this learning in their chosen work. We used text analysis to identify passages with references to industry in 29 textbooks. Each passage was categorized for relevance to health or environment, for implied positive or negative connotations, and for descriptions of synergy or conflict between science and industry. We found few passages describing applications of STEM learning in non-STEM business occupations and a paucity of content to support context-base

SUBMITTER: Simon SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6755896 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature