Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and Eye Tracking Equipment used to research why underrepresented high school seniors are abandoning STEM.

Program Abstract: Underrepresented minority participation in STEM has been a concern since the early 2000s. Various reports indicate the United States is falling behind other countries in STEM proficiency which jeopardizes its position as a global leader. Past studies used variables of administrative data, college major declarations, surveying, and testing.
This research utilizes a mix method approach to include eye tracking technology. The eye tracking will capture interactions as students navigate through a virtual reality environment engaging in both traditional and modern/smart classroom stimuli. Eye tracking combines with virtual reality to map student engagement during a session, and it recognizes implicit human attention. Data collection and analysis allows for automated & objective tracking of visual behavior and assesses the student’s behavioral changes while in the virtual environment. The research will be used to determine what socioeconomic barriers (if any) are causing students to abandon STEM fields.