Evaluating the impacts of a STEM research placement program between a secondary school and a science research institute

Although there are currently various programs aimed at increasing the interest of high school students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), very few programs have explored the students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of extracurricular STEM programs to their school learning and post-school aspirations. This research aimed to investigate high school students’ perceptions of a STEM research placement program integrated into their school curriculum, and how it contributed to their self-efficacy, attitude towards science and motivation to pursue a career in that field. A standard operating procedure (SOP) was then developed to inform future STEM-centred high school programs