Research report: The impact of STEM activities on school students' motivation to pursue studies in STEM-related fields: a study in DUN N8 Satok

This research investigates the impact of ongoing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities on student motivation and enrolment intent within the DUN N8 Satok constituency in Sarawak. Addressing the national decline in STEM interest, this study aligns with Sarawak's Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which emphasizes the necessity of a highly skilled, future-ready workforce. Employing a mixed-methods design, the study gathered quantitative and qualitative data from 78 primary and secondary students alongside 10 STEM teachers across five local schools. The findings provide compelling evidence that STEM activities significantly enhance student motivation. For primary students, interactive, hands-on, and technology-integrated experiences markedly increased excitement and comprehension in Science and Mathematics. Similarly, secondary students indicated that practical STEM engagements, coupled with strong parental encouragement and clear career prospects, directly inspired their intent to pursue science stream education. Teachers corroborated these outcomes, emphasizing that real-world applications and external collaborations, such as university-led STEM carnivals, are highly effective tools for boosting student engagement. Despite these positive outcomes, the implementation of school-level STEM programs is currently hindered by critical barriers, including inadequate financial resources, limited access to digital tools, and a lack of specialized technical training for teachers. To overcome these challenges, this report proposes a strategic five-pillar framework encompassing program content design, structural and administrative support, teacher professional development, stakeholder mobilization, and assessment accountability. Ultimately, sustaining long-term STEM participation requires equitable resource distribution, enhanced educator competencies, and robust community collaboration. The findings of this research is published in the Asian Journal of Social Science Research in June 2026.