Profiles of Exceptionally Talented Students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): An Exploration Using Q Factor Analysis

During the Cultivating Diverse Talent in STEM (CDTIS), studies were designed to identify and cultivate talent in potential innovators from low socioeconomic status (SES) and cultural groups underrepresented in the region: American Indian and Hispanic. Comparisons were made between those identified using conventional measures (CI) and those identified using performance assessments of problem solving (PSI) in STEM domains. In this study, using Q Factor Analysis, 43 students clustered on 13 factors, explaining 81.18% of the variance. Factors included high and low achievers; students from diverse groups; and 11 other clusters. Profiles are described and compared with profiles in other studies and theories. Implications for theory and practice include a paradigm shift from gifted child to talent development.