EXAMINING THE LEARNING EXPERIENCES OF SCIENCE TRAINING AMONG TAIWANESE ABORIGINAL ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

In Taiwan, substantial resources have been invested in training programs for Aboriginal adolescents in response to their poor occupational achievement. This study examined the relationships between the learning experiences of science training, vocational self-concept, and occupational aspirations among Taiwanese Aboriginal adolescents. Data were collected from a questionnaire survey of 760 Taiwanese Aboriginal adolescents who had successfully completed the science training. The results of this study demonstrated that the Taiwanese Aboriginal adolescents’ learning experiences of science training directly and indirectly influenced their occupational aspirations vis-à-vis the effect on their vocational self-concept at the individual level, which in turn directly influenced their occupational aspirations. The findings suggest that the science training programs for Taiwanese indigenous youth may provide sufficient supports in culturally responsive ways to facilitate these trainees’ vocational self-concept and occupational aspirations as well as further to achieve the original goals of the science training programs. Key words: occupational aspiration, science training, Taiwanese Aboriginal adolescents, vocational self-concept.