2008 Science Summer School A quick report – Choosing Science Survey

2008 Science 2008 Science Summer SchoolSummer School

A quick report – Choosing A quick report – Choosing Science SurveyScience Survey

Choosing Science Project for Choosing Science Project for 2007 2007

►By Terry Lyon, University of New By Terry Lyon, University of New EnglandEngland

►620 Teachers620 Teachers►3800 Year 3800 Year 10 Students10 Students►Focus of study: What are the Focus of study: What are the

influences on student engagement in influences on student engagement in Science?Science?


►Why are less students doing ScienceWhy are less students doing Science►Teachers top five responses:Teachers top five responses:

less academically demanding; less academically demanding; lack of persistence with repetitive or lack of persistence with repetitive or

rigorous tasks; rigorous tasks; decline in level of interest in the subject; decline in level of interest in the subject; decline in knowledge about careers in decline in knowledge about careers in

Science; Science; chose subjects that were more chose subjects that were more

interesting/engaging than Science interesting/engaging than Science


►What subjects are students choosing?What subjects are students choosing?►Decline in enrolments for many Decline in enrolments for many

“traditional” subjects “traditional” subjects That is not just Biology, Chemistry and That is not just Biology, Chemistry and

PhysicsPhysics Also Modern History, and particularly Also Modern History, and particularly

Economics and Geography.Economics and Geography.► Increase in enrolments in newer offeringsIncrease in enrolments in newer offerings

Including Business Studies, Hospitality, PE Including Business Studies, Hospitality, PE and Religion.and Religion.


► Year 10 students asked to give rating Year 10 students asked to give rating for these questions:for these questions:

1.1. Science is one of the most interesting Science is one of the most interesting subjects subjects

45% agree or strongly agree; 45% agree or strongly agree; 46% disagree or strongly disagree. 46% disagree or strongly disagree.



2.2. Science lessons are fun-Science lessons are fun- 46% agree or strongly agree; 46% agree or strongly agree; 25% disagree or strongly disagree. 25% disagree or strongly disagree.



3.3. Science lessons are fun-Science lessons are fun- 46% agree or strongly agree; 46% agree or strongly agree; 25% disagree or strongly disagree. 25% disagree or strongly disagree.



4.4. I dislike science lessons –I dislike science lessons – 28% agree or strongly agree; 28% agree or strongly agree; but 56% disagree or strongly disagree . but 56% disagree or strongly disagree .



5.5. What I learn in Science helps me What I learn in Science helps me make sense of the world – make sense of the world –

63% agree or strongly agree63% agree or strongly agree 16 disagree or strongly disagree . 16 disagree or strongly disagree .



6.6. My teacher often discussed careers My teacher often discussed careers with my classwith my class

44% agree 44% agree 36% disagree. 36% disagree.



7.7. I think most science careers are well I think most science careers are well paid paid

52% agree; 52% agree; 14% disagree; 14% disagree; 35% unsure . 35% unsure .



8.8. I think it is fairly easy for a person to I think it is fairly easy for a person to get a job with a Science degree: - get a job with a Science degree: -

?% agree?% agree ?% were unsure?% were unsure 15% disagree 15% disagree



9.9. It is likely that I will choose a Science It is likely that I will choose a Science related course when I leave school – related course when I leave school –

39% agree, 39% agree, 21% unsure – 21% unsure – [[opportunity to change their minds in opportunity to change their minds in

Year 10Year 10]; ];

40% disagree.40% disagree.


► Three further questions:Three further questions:

1.1. In which stage in your schooling did In which stage in your schooling did you most enjoy learning scienceyou most enjoy learning science

56% say Year 9 and 10 56% say Year 9 and 10 (often the last two years of science)(often the last two years of science)

23% said Year 7 and 8.23% said Year 7 and 8.



2.2. What stage in your schooling had the What stage in your schooling had the greatest influence in your decision to greatest influence in your decision to choose or not to choose Science – choose or not to choose Science –

80% said Year 8 and 9. 80% said Year 8 and 9. Note this could also mean that they Note this could also mean that they chose NOT to do Science at this point.chose NOT to do Science at this point.



3.3. The most common suggestions for The most common suggestions for improving Science lessons include; improving Science lessons include;

more practicals/experiments (41%); more practicals/experiments (41%); more interesting content (19%) and more interesting content (19%) and more engaging teachers (14%) more engaging teachers (14%)


► The 900 students who said they The 900 students who said they would not pursue a career in Science would not pursue a career in Science were asked why:were asked why:

Because I can't picture myself as a Because I can't picture myself as a Scientist; Scientist;

I don't need it for my career; I don't need it for my career; I am not interested in Science. I am not interested in Science.


► Conclusions:Conclusions: There is a general decline in enrolments for There is a general decline in enrolments for

most traditional subjects – not just Science.most traditional subjects – not just Science. Students still enjoy science and many see it Students still enjoy science and many see it

as a career option.as a career option. There is an opportunity to influence student There is an opportunity to influence student

choice of Science even as late as Year 10.choice of Science even as late as Year 10. Consider discussing Science as a career with Consider discussing Science as a career with

your classes and bringing in Young Scientists your classes and bringing in Young Scientists to show role models and possibilities.to show role models and possibilities.

Documents

2008 Science Summer School A quick report – Choosing Science Survey