2008 Science Summer School A quick report – Choosing Science Survey

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► By Terry Lyon, University of New England ► 620 Teachers ► 3800 Year 10 Students ► Focus of study: What are the influences on student engagement in Science?

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► Why are less students doing Science ► Teachers top five responses:  less academically demanding;  lack of persistence with repetitive or rigorous tasks;  decline in level of interest in the subject;  decline in knowledge about careers in Science;  chose subjects that were more interesting/engaging than Science

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► What subjects are students choosing? ► Decline in enrolments for many “traditional” subjects  That is not just Biology, Chemistry and Physics  Also Modern History, and particularly Economics and Geography. ► Increase in enrolments in newer offerings  Including Business Studies, Hospitality, PE and Religion.

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► Year 10 students asked to give rating for these questions: 1. Science is one of the most interesting subjects  45% agree or strongly agree;  46% disagree or strongly disagree.

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► Year 10 students asked to give rating for these questions: 2. Science lessons are fun-  46% agree or strongly agree;  25% disagree or strongly disagree.

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► Year 10 students asked to give rating for these questions: 3. Science lessons are fun-  46% agree or strongly agree;  25% disagree or strongly disagree.

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► Year 10 students asked to give rating for these questions: 4. I dislike science lessons –  28% agree or strongly agree;  but 56% disagree or strongly disagree.

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► Year 10 students asked to give rating for these questions: 5. What I learn in Science helps me make sense of the world –  63% agree or strongly agree  16 disagree or strongly disagree.

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► Year 10 students asked to give rating for these questions: 6. My teacher often discussed careers with my class  44% agree  36% disagree.

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► Year 10 students asked to give rating for these questions: 7. I think most science careers are well paid  52% agree;  14% disagree;  35% unsure.

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► Year 10 students asked to give rating for these questions: 8. I think it is fairly easy for a person to get a job with a Science degree: -  ?% agree  ?% were unsure  15% disagree

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► Year 10 students asked to give rating for these questions: 9. It is likely that I will choose a Science related course when I leave school –  39% agree,  21% unsure – [opportunity to change their minds in Year 10];  40% disagree.

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► Three further questions: 1. In which stage in your schooling did you most enjoy learning science  56% say Year 9 and 10 (often the last two years of science)  23% said Year 7 and 8.

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► Three further questions: 2. What stage in your schooling had the greatest influence in your decision to choose or not to choose Science –  80% said Year 8 and 9. Note this could also mean that they chose NOT to do Science at this point.

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► Three further questions: 3. The most common suggestions for improving Science lessons include;  more practicals/experiments (41%);  more interesting content (19%) and  more engaging teachers (14%)

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► The 900 students who said they would not pursue a career in Science were asked why:  Because I can't picture myself as a Scientist;  I don't need it for my career;  I am not interested in Science.

Choosing Science Project for 2007 ► Conclusions:  There is a general decline in enrolments for most traditional subjects – not just Science.  Students still enjoy science and many see it as a career option.  There is an opportunity to influence student choice of Science even as late as Year 10.  Consider discussing Science as a career with your classes and bringing in Young Scientists to show role models and possibilities.