Determinants of University Students’ Interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education in Nigeria: Case of a Structural Equation Modeling

The role of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (STEME) in National development cannot be overemphasized. However, the enrollment of students in the STEME courses at the university level seems not to be encouraging. Moreover, literature is scarce on the major determinants of students' interest in STEME courses. Thus, this study explored the possible determinants of university students' interest in STEME courses using a structural equation modeling approach. The study adopted a correctional research design using a sample of 255 undergraduate Science Education students in Universities in Enugu State Nigeria. STEME students' interest determinants questionnaire and STEME Interest scale were used for data collection. The two instruments were properly face validated by test development experts. The internal consistency reliability indices for the two instruments were 0.85 and 0.79 respectively. A structural equation modeling statistical approach was used to analyze the data. The model fit of the data was tested using the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) and Confirmatory Factor Index (CFI). The result showed that there was a significant model fit for the data, RMSEA = 0.45, CFI = 0.965. The results further revealed that motivation, selfefficacy, self-esteem, and task persistence are significant (p