- 45% of the interviewed participants reported micro-assaults related to STEM. 66% of the interviewed participants reported micro-insults related to STEM. 36% of the interviewed participants talked about the changing nature or racial/ethnic and gender inequity, emphasizing that barriers are less than they used to be. 34% of the interviewed participants expressed beliefs that there are no barriers to STEM success due to gender (28%) or race/ethnicity (15%).
- Quantitative findings showed that students perceived similar levels of societal support for girls and for underrepresented minorities. However, while perceived support for girls and women predicted science aspirations, this association was not found for underrepresented minorities.
- Higher science aspirations significantly predicted perceived support for girls and women in science.
- Analysis of interviews showed themes of macroaggressions, responses to macroaggressions, and gender- and race-based support.
- Findings suggest participants vary in perceptions of barriers, yet are generally optimistic about overcoming such obstacles.