Innovative learn-by-doing digital education and attitudes towards STEM: an RCT in Italian high schools

We conducted a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of creative STEM activities on the propensity to enrol in a STEM university course and career aspirations on a sample of 710 high school students in Italy. The activities covered courses on 3D printing, laser cutting, and programming, and were taught by FabLabs, non-profit digital fabrication laboratories with an innovative pedagogical approach grounded in learn-by-doing, problem- solving skills, and creativity. Participation in the activities was voluntary, but counted for credit. We find that access to these courses increased students’ intentions to pursue STEM majors at university (6 p.p., +17%) and STEM careers (7.4 p.p., +40%), possibly through to an increased STEM self-efficacy (7.3 p.p., +22%), namely students’ beliefs in their ability to pursue STEM studies.