In-school and/or out-of-school computer science learning influence on CS career interests, mediated by having role-models

Abstract

<h3>Background and Context</h3><p>Both in- and out-of-school computer science (CS) learning opportunities are expanding, but their influences on CS career interests are unclear.</p><h3>Method</h3><p>To investigate, we applied multinomial propensity score weighting analysis on a 2021 U.S. nationally representative sample of 4,116 5th-to-12th-grade students. </p><h3>Findings</h3><p>The odds of expressing CS career interest increase by 171%, 94%, and 40%, respectively, when students pursue CS learning both in and out-of-school, out-of-school only, and in-school only. These effects were similar across race/ethnicity but stronger for girls. Out-of-school learning was the strongest predictor of having CS role-models, though each experience was positive. One third of the effect of both and about half of the effect of each separately were mediated by having CS role models.</p><h3>Implications</h3><p>Our findings suggest that domain-focused learning experiences are generally effective in shaping career interests, and out-of-school learning, specifically, may enhance exposure to role models.</p>