Examining Students’ Interest in Physics at Second Level in Ireland

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This study examines students’ interest in physics within the culture and context of the Irish education system, at both lower and upper second level. In Ireland, the majority of students (aged 12-15 years) complete an integrated science curriculum at lower second level that encompasses learning outcomes across the disciplines of physics, chemistry, biology and earth and space. Students can choose what subjects they continue with at senior cycle and typically, 13-14% of students (aged 15-18 years) continue to study physics. This study reports on the student’s interest in physics and presents collated responses from 563 lower second level science students and 142 upper second level physics students. The findings of this study denote the differences between males and females interests in studying Physics at each level and in particular, highlight the effect that school type has on females’ interest in physics.