Table S.1. Two-parameter IRT item discrimination and difficulty parameters
Dimension / Item / A / B(2) / B(3) / B(4)L1 / 1 / 5.18 / -1.84 / -0.89 / 0.74
2 / 1.69 / -2.50 / -0.38 / 1.97
4 / 1.37 / -2.43 / -1.00 / 0.88
6 / 2.03 / -1.37 / 0.48 / 1.78
8 / 3.68 / -2.06 / -1.02 / 0.75
L2 / 3 / 2.06 / -2.52 / -1.13 / 1.03
5 / 2.52 / -2.53 / -1.17 / 0.94
7 / 2.11 / -2.38 / -0.86 / 0.96
9 / 5.33 / -2.09 / -0.90 / 0.86
10 / 2.07 / -2.47 / -0.88 / 0.98
C1 / 13 / 2.57 / -0.93 / 0.52 / 1.49
15 / 3.64 / -1.09 / 0.42 / 1.56
16 / 3.59 / -1.22 / 0.24 / 1.53
19 / 4.71 / -0.96 / 0.34 / 1.49
20 / 3.54 / -1.02 / 0.29 / 1.38
C2 / 11 / 2.86 / -1.93 / -0.22 / 1.32
12 / 2.97 / -2.05 / -0.75 / 1.28
14 / 3.42 / -1.54 / 0.08 / 1.55
17 / 4.05 / -1.59 / -0.17 / 1.46
18 / 2.89 / -1.74 / -0.40 / 1.46
Bio / 21 / 3.17 / -2.40 / -1.52 / 0.57
22 / 3.88 / -2.38 / -1.41 / 0.57
23 / 3.43 / -2.64 / -1.88 / 0.11
24 / 3.60 / -2.56 / -1.59 / 0.43
25 / 2.56 / -2.54 / -1.13 / 0.83
Table S.2. Measurement precision (Cronbach’s a and information analysis) for the SITS instrument
Pre / Post / Items / Ability Range (a > 0.70)L1 / 0.809 / 0.843 / 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 / -2.7 to 1.8
L2 / 0.802 / 0.879 / 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 / -3.0 to 1.8
C1 / 0.905 / 0.925 / 13, 15, 16, 19, 20 / -1.9 to 2.3
C2 / 0.885 / 0.906 / 11, 12, 14, 17, 18 / -2.7 to 2.3
Bio / 0.862 / 0.898 / 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 / -3.0 to 1.4
Total / 0.906 / 0.930
Appendix S.1. Student Interest in Technology and Science (SITS) Survey
In this survey, you will be asked to share your ideas about science, technology, and biotechnology. For the purpose of this survey, we use these terms in the following ways.
Science represents fields of study that focus on exploring the natural world. Science includes disciplines like biology, chemistry and physics as well as applied fields like engineering.
Technology represents any electronic or computer-based device. Examples might include computers, handheld devices, mobile phones, probes or the Internet.
Biotechnology is an applied science that uses organisms and technology to make products. Biotechnology products are often used for medical or agricultural purposes. Advances in genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology are the basis for much of what is done in biotechnology.
For each of the items on the following pages, you will be asked to indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with a statement. Your choices will always be one of the following four options:
· SD = Strongly Disagree
· D = Disagree
· A = Agree
· SA = Strongly Agree
The survey contains 25 items. Please circle one response for each statement.
Section I: Ideas about learning. Items in this section present ideas related to learning and your experiences in school. Indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please circle ONE response for EACH item.
1. I enjoy learning science. / SD / D / A / SA
2. School science has improved my decision-making. / SD / D / A / SA
3. I enjoy using technology to solve science problems. / SD / D / A / SA
4. I plan to take more science classes in high school. / SD / D / A / SA
5. Technology helps me learn science. / SD / D / A / SA
6. More time in the school day should be devoted to science. / SD / D / A / SA
7. Computers make learning science more interesting. / SD / D / A / SA
8. Learning science is interesting. / SD / D / A / SA
9. I enjoy using technology to learn science. / SD / D / A / SA
10. More time in science classes should involve the use of technology. / SD / D / A / SA
Section II: Ideas about careers. Items in this section present ideas related to careers in science and technology. Indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please circle ONE response for EACH item.
11. I would be more likely to take a job if I knew it involved working with technology. / SD / D / A / SA
12. Working in technology would be interesting. / SD / D / A / SA
13. I would like to become a scientist. / SD / D / A / SA
14. I would like to get a job in technology. / SD / D / A / SA
15. I would like to work in a field related to biotechnology. / SD / D / A / SA
16. I would like to work with people who make discoveries in biotechnology. / SD / D / A / SA
17. I would enjoy a job in technology. / SD / D / A / SA
18. I will probably choose a job that involves using technology. / SD / D / A / SA
19. I would enjoy working in a biotechnology laboratory / SD / D / A / SA
20. I would like to work in a science laboratory / SD / D / A / SA
Section III: Ideas about biotechnology. Items in this section present ideas related to biotechnology. Indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please circle ONE response for EACH item.
21. Biotechnology helps create solutions to the world’s problems. / SD / D / A / SA
22. Biotechnology is important for a country’s development. / SD / D / A / SA
23. Biotechnology discoveries improve our ability to treat diseases. / SD / D / A / SA
24. Biotechnology is important for modern life. / SD / D / A / SA
25. Biotechnology is useful for the problems of everyday life. / SD / D / A / SA