RUME 27
2025
Alexandria, Virginia
Examining the Relationship Between Key Points in College Students’ Drawn Life Stories in Mathematics and Their Relationship With Mathematics
Page: 74
This research investigates significant moments in college students' drawn life stories in mathematics with the aim of examining implications for STEM engagement and potential reasons for gender-related differences in participation in mathematics intensive STEM fields. My research employs drawn life stories in mathematics specifically focused on students’ experiences with mathematics to understand students' evolving relationships with mathematics, encompassing positive and negative experiences. Employing mixed methods analysis of visual and written mathematical narratives combined with qualitative interviews, my research explores the effectiveness of allowing participants to visualize their mathematical journeys, and quantitatively assesses the impact of recurring themes in students’ drawn life stories in mathematics. This research advances our understanding of factors that influence the nature of students' relationships with mathematics, and potentially inform strategies for enhancing STEM participation and gender inclusivity, using a unique approach in mathematical narrative research.