THE AUTHENTIC VOICE OF BLACK MALES: REGARDING THEIR MOTIVATION TO ENGAGE in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)!

This study was an exploration of the factors that motivate Black males to engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The specific problem addressed was the lack of motivation among Black males to engage in STEM education and enter STEM careers. According to the Washington-based Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies think tank, the U.S. workforce could employ as many as 140,000 additional African-American and Latino college graduates in STEM fields annually if the gap in college completion in STEM by Blacks and Latinos closed to roughly match that of the White and Asian American STEM graduation rates. In addition, the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Commission stated between 2010 and 2020 the overall employment in STEM occupations will increase by 17%, yet not enough students are pursuing degrees and careers in the STEM fields to meet the increasing demand. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the factors that motivate Black males that are engaged in STEM in an effort to inform administrators, educators, and programs how to enhance Black male engagement in STEM. Qualitative methodology was used to conduct focus groups of 20 gifted and talented Black males who currently attend the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), as well as interviews with 25 gifted and talented Black male IMSA alumni, 21 parents of IMSA gifted and talented Black male students/alumni, and 27 IMSA faculty/staff who worked with gifted and talented Black males. The STEM motivation trends that developed are: STEM is a progressive field which leads to success, learning/discovery of knowledge, solve problems/to advance humanity, obligation to Black community/break negative stigmas, passion for STEM/STEM enjoyment, competitive nature of STEM, and money. This study led to the design of a 5-step motivation-based program to encourage Black males to engage in STEM