Empirical literature also supports the notion that students’ utility value predicts STEM success and choices. For example, Maltese and Tai (2011) found that students who perceived science to be useful were more likely to major in STEM subjects in college. Some have found convincing students that mathematics is useful for their future endeavors increased the interest of students only if they had high expectancies for success.; those who expected to do poorly lost interest. However, Hulleman et al. (2010) found that, instead of telling students about the importance of an activity, if students discovered the usefulness of an activity on their own, the interest of those who had low expectations for success increased. For those whose expectancies for success were already high, no changes in interests were observed. Therefore, utility value can be influenced if students discover the utility of a subject on their own, with positive consequences for motivation and achievement.