Connecting informal STEM experiences to career choices: Identifying the pathway

The focus of this literature review is out-of-school time activities in informal environments, a "vastly understudied" set of experiences (Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development 1992), and the role these experiences can have in shaping the direction of youth to pursue STEM careers. By understanding the research base on this topic we can better understand the ways that interventions can lead to more young people choosing STEM professions. Our goal is to contribute to these infrastructure building efforts by synthesizing the relevant research for ITEST project staff, NSF Program Officers and others in the ITEST community and others concerned about the future of the STEM workforce. This literature review is the first in what will be a series of literature reviews targeting topics of interest and concern to the ITEST community.