Advancing Gender Equity in STEM Education: The Role of Inquiry-Based Cooperative Learning and Classroom Engagement in Challenging Gender Role Stereotypes

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Advancing Gender Equity in STEM Education: The Role of Inquiry-Based Cooperative Learning and Classroom Engagement in Challenging Gender Role Stereotypes
Language: English
Authors: Ping Chen (ORCID 0009-0001-6845-3116), Aminuddin Bin Hassan, Firdaus Mohamad Hamzah (ORCID 0000-0002-6750-6183), Sallar Salam Murad (ORCID 0000-0001-6189-4747), Zixin Xu
Source: Journal of Baltic Science Education. 2025 24(6):1101-1116.
Availability: Scientia Socialis Ltd. 29 K. Donelaicio Street, LT-78115 Siauliai, Republic of Lithuania. e-mail: scientia@scientiasocialis.lt; e-mail: mail.jbse@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.scientiasocialis.lt/jbse/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: Gender Bias, Sex Fairness, STEM Education, Inquiry, Cooperative Learning, Sex Stereotypes, Secondary School Students, Females, Disadvantaged Youth, Learner Engagement, Academic Achievement, Program Effectiveness, Foreign Countries, Womens Education
Geographic Terms: China
ISSN: 1648-3898
2538-7138
Abstract: Global gender gaps in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields persist, as female students often encounter cultural and academic barriers that constrain their involvement and success. This study attempts to examine the mediating and moderating roles of classroom engagement and inquiry-based cooperative learning in the association between gender role stereotypes and STEM academic performance with a unique sample of 366 upper-secondary girls in underprivileged areas of China. This study employs a quantitative methodology, using survey data and structural equation modelling (SEM) to examine the mechanisms and pathways among the key variables. The results indicated that: (1) gender role stereotypes had a significantly negative effect on STEM academic performance; (2) classroom engagement played a mediating role between gender role stereotypes and STEM academic performance; and (3) inquiry-based cooperative learning played a moderating role in the path of female gender role stereotypes to STEM academic performance. This research sheds light on how classroom environment affects gender role stereotypes and STEM success, affecting educational policy and training. When encouraging inquiry-based and cooperative learning, educators and policymakers should address gender and individual learning requirements.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1492200
Database: ERIC
Be the first to leave a comment!
You must be logged in first