Arts-inspired students sync their assets to a nuts and bolts world (a career mentoring pilot progam)

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20208160

This research examined how students who are arts-inspired feel about their futures in a STEM-based work climate. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are the nuts and bolts, and in education today, the only avenue touted for our country and our students' success in this 21st century economy. This can be disconcerting to those interested in other fields, like the arts. This study was guided by the following questions in an effort to understand if our artists and arts-inspired students realize their options and importance in this 21st century climate. The pilot study was designed to help improve the students' perception of their abilities or self-efficacy in the STEM areas by introducing STEM professionals as mentors who designed hands-on activities that simulate work in the STEM fields.