"A Measure of College Student Persistence in the Sciences (PITS)" (CBE—Life Sciences Education, 2016)
Staying the course in science is about more than mastering content. Lasting persistence is shaped by ownership, community, and belonging. The Persistence in the Sciences (PITS) survey, a validated tool designed by education researchers, brings these psychological drivers into focus and offers actionable guidance for instructors committed to supporting student success.
The PITS survey measures six powerful factors: project ownership (emotional engagement and content), self-efficacy, science identity, community values, and networking. Findings show that when undergraduates feel connected to authentic research, see themselves as scientists, and find meaning in the scientific community, they are more likely to remain in STEM fields and pursue related careers.
Although the survey was initially validated in biology laboratory courses, its structure makes it readily adaptable to other disciplines across the sciences. The key factors it measures, such as scientific identity and peer connection, are fundamental to student experience in any research-rich course. A team who received a 2025 Teaching Innovation Award from the Eberly College of Science is currently exploring using the PITS instrument to assess the impact of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) on student engagement and persistence in the sciences.
Practical Strategies and Reflective Questions for Instructors
Encourage project ownership
Design research assignments that foster student agency and personal investment. Give students meaningful roles and voice in shaping their work.
Reflect: How do I help students see their work as personally relevant and worth sharing?
Build science identity
Support opportunities for students to “try on” the role of scientist through collaborative projects, research presentations, or mentorship.
Reflect: What do I do to help students see themselves as emerging members of the scientific community?
Promote self-efficacy
Provide regular feedback and guidance that builds students’ confidence in scientific thinking and methodology.
Reflect: How do I support students in making and interpreting their own scientific decisions?
Foster networking and community values
Encourage students to talk about their research with peers, mentors, and family, inside and outside the classroom.
Reflect: What spaces have I created where students can connect, share ideas, and find belonging?
Model positive emotions and engagement
Show authentic enthusiasm for discovery and acknowledge the challenges of scientific exploration.
Reflect: How do I demonstrate genuine joy and resilience in my own scientific practice?
Incorporating these principles and using proven tools, like the PITS survey, helps instructors measure and increase the factors that keep students inspired and on their path in science.
