Understanding COVID-Related Impacts on STEM Students
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to unfold in spring 2020, researchers with the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program quickly realized that students pursuing degrees in science and engineering were facing particular challenges. STEM degree programs require students to complete lab-based courses and participate in research or internships—all of which were quickly and dramatically disrupted with the shift to online learning formats and social distancing policies.
In response, Drs. Stephanie Murphy and Jill Williams designed a study to assess COVID-related impacts on STEM students. The distributed a survey to currently enrolled STEM students at the University of Arizona and received just over 500 responses. Analysis of the data indicated that students were facing significant challenges transitioning to remote learning and that 35% of undergraduates were concerned that they were not learning enough to proceed with their academic pathways as planned. Graduate student respondents demonstrated significant concern regarding delays to research projects necessary for their degrees, as well as how the pandemic might impact job prospects after graduation.
In addition to grappling with the challenges related to courses and research, a significant percentage of students were also faced with juggling additional caregiving responsibilities brough on by COVID. 28% of undergraduate respondents and 13% of graduate student respondents reported taking on additional caregiving responsibilities due to COVID. These responsibilities included taking care of young siblings or children, overseeing homeschooling, and completing daily tasks such as grocery shopping for immunocompromised or elderly family members. Data further indicated that particular groups of students including caregivers, under-represented minority students, and lower-income students appear to be experiencing greater negative impacts on their STEM academic experiences and pathways than other groups.
Drs. Murphy and Williams drew on survey findings to develop policy recommendations for University of Arizona administrators, faculty, and staff. Findings and recommendations were shared with members of the University of Arizona community at a webinar held on July 21st. Full reports on undergraduate and graduate student data can be found at www.wise.arizona.edu/research .