Publications

2024

Attracting and developing STEMM talent toward excellence and innovation (Stoeger, Luo, & Ziegler, 2024)

Abstract
This article provides an overview of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical sciences (STEMM) talent development from first exposure to a STEMM domain to achieving eminence and innovation. To this end, a resource-oriented model of STEMM talent development is proposed as a framework. It includes a three-stage phase model based on Bloom (1985), with the main focus on interest development in the first stage, skill acquisition toward expertise and excellence in the second stage, and style formation toward eminence and innovation in the final stage. A literature review shows that from an educational perspective, each phase is mainly characterized by the focus that Bloom postulated. However, it is important that all three stages (i.e., interest development, skill acquisition, and style formation) occur in a stage-typical manner. To explain how these primary objectives of STEMM development can be supported through STEMM talent education, Ziegler and Stoeger's (2011) educational and learning capital framework is used in the proposed resource-based model. A literature review shows that consistent provisioning of the resources specified in the model is necessary for individuals to complete a learning pathway to STEMM eminence and innovation.

How to cite this article: Stoeger, H., Luo, L., & Ziegler, A. (2024). Attracting and developing STEMM talent toward excellence and innovation. Ann NY Acad Sci., 1–10.  https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.15108

2023

Talent denied: Equity and excellence gaps in STEMM (Ziegler & Stoeger, 2023) 

Abstract
In principle, there could be STEMM talent everywhere if there were sufficient and adequate opportunities and learning resources everywhere. The reality, however, is that the likelihood of developing one’s talent in STEMM is tied to membership in social groups. In this contribution, we explore the implications of this statement with multiple examples for different social groups and for different stages of talent development. We propose an educational framework model for analyzing equity gaps in STEMM talent development that identifies and systematizes the unequal and inequitable distribution of resources and opportunities as the proximal cause of the emergence of such equity gaps. Furthermore, we discuss important aspects for closing equity gaps in STEMM talent development. We argue that — similar to public health approaches — the focus in establishing equity in STEMM talent development should be on prevention rather than intervention. We discuss the importance of the cooperation of societal subsystems and argue for the use of adequate methods of disparity detection for creating equal opportunities. We also outline why preventive strategies are crucial for the creation of ressource parity and explain why outcome standards should be considered obligatory.

How to cite this article: Ziegler, A., & Stoeger, H. (2023). Talent denied: Equity and excellence gaps in STEMM. Ann NY Acad Sci., 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.15083