Understanding how failure can motivate students in STEM education
Official title: The importance of failure in science education: Interventions to promote STEM motivation through failure
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10975316 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being afraid of failing can impact students' motivation and ability to stick with their science and math majors, especially for those from underrepresented backgrounds, and it aims to find ways to help them see failure as a normal part of learning so they can feel more confident and stay in their programs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $388,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R01GM155840-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10975316 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are students from historically excluded communities, particularly Black and Latine students, who are currently enrolled in STEM programs.
✕Less likely to help
Students who are not enrolled in STEM programs or who do not experience fear of failure in their academic pursuits may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the fear of failure affects students' motivation and retention in STEM fields, particularly among historically excluded communities. It aims to develop interventions that normalize failure as a part of the learning process, helping students to overcome their fears and stay in their chosen biomedical majors. By analyzing the experiences of students who switch majors, the research will identify effective strategies to support diverse students in overcoming academic challenges. The approach includes both qualitative and quantitative assessments of student attitudes and behaviors related to failure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved retention rates of underrepresented students in STEM fields, ultimately increasing diversity in the biomedical workforce.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing the stigma around failure can enhance student resilience and retention in educational settings, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Handelsman, Jo E. — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Handelsman, Jo E.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.