Chapter 9: Promoting Positive Stem Identity and Achievement Among African American Males: Individual and Contextual Considerations

A positive identity with respect to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is integral to interest and achievement. A positive STEM identity is multifaceted and includes perceiving continuity between STEM pursuits and one’s identities and competencies. A STEM identity is connected to socialization experiences. This chapter focuses on individual and contextual considerations in promoting positive STEM identity development and achievement among African American male youth. This includes an assessment of internal and external threats to STEM development, how they can be redressed, and protective factors that can be utilized for intervention. Recommendations and conclusions are informed by phenomenological variant of ecological systems theory (PVEST).