Table 9.

Participants’ views of the effect of STEM education on social costs.

Theme	Category	Code	Quotes
The effect of STEM education on social costs	Positive	Making one happy (n = 20)	“Regarding social costs, people who receive STEM education are more self-confident and morally stronger because they are better equipped. From this point of view, it can also have a reducing effect on social costs.” P26
		Preventing brain drain (n = 8)	“STEM education may prevent brain drain and minimize unemployment.” P7
		Alleviating social problems (n = 4)	“STEM education will have positive social impacts. The economic cost will be positively affected, and the social cost will be positively affected. This will reduce social problems.” P17
		Reducing suicide rates (n = 3)	“People who receive STEM education will have high hopes of finding jobs, which will reduce unemployment rates. Plus, it will reduce suicide rates related to unemployment.”
	Negative	Job dissatisfaction (n = 2)	“STEM education helps people acquire new knowledge and skills. So, they want to have good jobs. When they cannot find a job, social costs increase because they will be unhappy.” P19
		No effect (n = 1)	“STEM education may not have an impact on social costs. Therefore, I do not think it will have a positive impact.” P7

*More than one answer.