Science-related Careers Research Articles

Gender Gap in School Science: Are Single-Sex Schools Important?

This paper compares science subject choices and science-related career plans of Australian adolescents in single-sex and coeducational schools. Data from the nationally representative Longitudinal Survey of Australian Youth collected from students who were 15 years of age in 2009 show that, in all schools, boys are overrepresented in physical science courses and careers, while girls are overrepresented in life science. It appears that students in all-girls schools are more likely to take physical science subjects and are keener on careers in physics, computing or engineering than their counterparts in coeducational schools. However, multi-level logit regressions reveal that most apparent differences between students in single-sex and coeducational schools are brought about by differentials in academic achievement, parental characteristics, student’s science self-concept, study time and availability of qualified teachers. The only differences remaining after introducing control variables are the higher propensity of boys in single-sex schools to plan a life science career and the marginally lower propensity of girls in girls-only schools to study life science subjects. Thus, single-sex schooling fosters few non-traditional choices of science specialization. The paper discusses the likely consequences of gender segregation in science and a limited potential of single-sex schools to reduce them. The results of the current analysis are contrasted with a comparable study conducted in Australia a decade ago to illustrate the persistence of the gender gap in science field choices.

Laptop Use, Interactive Science Software, and Science Learning Among At-Risk Students

This year-long, quasi-experimental study investigated the impact of the use of netbook computers and interactive science software on fifth-grade students’ science learning processes, academic achievement, and interest in further science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) study within a linguistically diverse school district in California. Analysis of students’ state standardized science test scores indicated that the program helped close gaps in scientific achievement between at-risk learners (i.e., English learners, Hispanics, and free/reduced-lunch recipients) and their counterparts. Teacher and student interviews and classroom observations suggested that computer-supported visual representations and interactions supported diverse learners’ scientific understanding and inquiry and enabled more individualized and differentiated instruction. Finally, interviews revealed that the program had a positive impact on students’ motivation in science and on their interest in pursuing science-related careers. This study suggests that technology-facilitated science instruction is beneficial for improving at-risk students’ science achievement, scaffolding students’ scientific understanding, and strengthening students’ motivation to pursue STEM-related careers.

Students’ Images of Scientists and Doing Science: An International Comparison Study

This study compared students’ perceptions of doing science and scientists reflected in their drawings using a modified version of the Drawing-A-Scientist-Test across five different countries: China, India, South Korea, Turkey, and US. The participants were 1,800 students from grades three, seven and ten from the five countries. Thirty students randomly selected were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol. Results indicated that fewer stereotypes were exhibited at the lower grades than at the higher grades in all of the countries. Students from India, US, and South Korea perceived doing science passive more than those from Turkey and China. A larger number of Indian and Turkish students reported that they wanted to become a scientist or have a science related career compared to those from the other countries. In addition, students’ perceptions of scientist were not related to their career choices in any country. However, students who perceived science as active practice were inclined to choose science-related career more than students who regarded science as passive practice in Korea and US. There was no statistically significant difference by perception of doing science actively or passively for career choice in India, Turkey and China.

Adolescents' motivation to select an academic science-related career: the role of school factors, individual interest, and science self-concept

Many researchers consider a lacking interest in science and the students' belief that science is too demanding as major reasons why young people do not strive for science-related careers. In this article, we first delineated a theoretical framework to investigate the importance of interest, self-concept, and school factors regarding students' career preferences. Then, we tested the expected effects on a sample of German 9th-grade students (N = 7,813). We focused on two school factors: the amount of (additional) science activities and the real-life applications in science classes. The multi-level analysis showed that school factors were highly relevant for the students' interest in science and science self-concept. In turn, interest in science and science self-concept affect the students' interest in science-related careers. We conclude that focusing on the link between individual and school characteristics is important for the understanding of students' interest in science-related careers.

과학자의 실험 목적에 대한 초등학생의 인식

본 연구는 초등학생을 대상으로 과학자의 실험 목적에 대한 응답을 통하여 인식의 정도를 확인 하고자 한 것이다. 이러한 연구 목적을 달성하기 위하여 경기도 G시 한 초등학교의 초등학생 193명(남학생 96명, 여학생97명)을 대상으로 설문 조사를 실시하였다. 초등학생들의 응답을 성별, 학업성취도별, 과학관련 직업 희망여부별로 그 경향성을 나누어 살펴보았다. 학습자 특성이 과학자의 실험 목적에 대한 인식과 어떠한 상관이 있는지에 대한 분석을 통하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 첫째, 학생들은 과학자의 실험 목적에 대하여 '새로운 사실을 발견하기 위해서'라는 내적가치 중 인지적 영역과 관련된 항목에 34.2%, '생활을 편리하게 하기 위해서'라는 외적 가치의 사회적 영역에 대한 항목에 26.9%의 응답을 보였다. 이는 대부분의 학생들이 과학자들의 실험 목적을 사실의 획득이나 사회적으로 도움이 되기 위해서라고 인식하고 있음을 알 수 있다. 둘째, 응답의 분포를 성별로 살펴보면, 여학생이 사회적 유용성 영역에 관한 인식이 높았으며 남학생이 논리 객관적 요소에 관한 인식이 높게 나타났다. 셋째, 응답의 분포를 학업성취도별로 살펴보면, 과학자의 실험 목적에 대하여 상위권 학생이 사회적 유용성 영역에 관한 인식이 높았으며, 중 하위권 학생들은 인지적 영역에 관한 인식이 높게 나타났다. 넷째, 과학관련 직업을 희망하는 학생과 그렇지 않은 학생을 대상으로 한 과학실험의 목적에 대한 인식을 살펴보면 과학 관련 직업을 희망하는 학생의 인식이 더욱 다양하며, 그렇지 않은 학생은 인지적 영역에 대한 응답이 더욱 높은 것으로 나타났다. This study investigated the elementary school students' perception of the "purpose of scientists' experiments" and discovered what roles teachers can take to provide guidance. The study subjects were 193 elementary school students (96 boys and 97 girls) in a school located in Gyeonggi-do. The responses were analyzed through categorization based on their gender, science test score at school, and understanding of the purposes of scientific experiments based on students' choice of science-related future careers. The results of this study were as follows. In relation to the purpose of science experiments, the elementary school students considered intrinsic values of doing experiments more valuable than their extrinsic values. Next, 34.2% of the students answered that scientists do science experiment 'to find a new fact' and 26.9% of the students answered 'to make life convenient.' The results showed that girls responded 'social usefulness' more frequently than boys. Considering the achievement levels, it was found that high level students replied 'to make life convenient' more frequently than middle and low level students on why scientists do science experiments. Students who want to have a science-related career had varied ideas about it.

Science Education in Europe: Pedagogical Challenges

In 2007, the Rocard report highlighted concerns with the type of science education presented in European classrooms [1]. Despite research on consrtructivism research teaching science remained mainly through a ‘transmission approach’ whereby the teacher passed on all the scientific knowledge that students had to then assimilate [2]. The result was a combination of active teachers and passive students. Furthermore, whereas science became more poignant in everyday life and science related careers increased, students’ interest and specialization in the field decreased drastically, creating a significant disparity between supply and demand. In this perspective, research and science educators have acknowledged the need for a change in both the quality and methodology of teaching science wherein students are given the opportunity to explore and engage in science and in doing so, to be the drivers of their own learning [3]. The European Commission has taken on the responsibility to support professors and academics working in this field, to adopt this inquiry based learning approach (IBSE) by financing projects such as PRI-SCI-NET, which focuses on equipping educators, particularly teachers, with the tools, skills, networking and collaboration opportunities to further enhance their repertoire. This paper focuses on the methodology and objectives of PRI-SCI-NET in addressing science education at primary level.

IMPACT OF THE SOCIO-CULTURAL CONTEXT ON STUDENT SCIENCE PERFORMANCE AND ATTITUDES: THE CASE OF ESTONIA

This study analysed how to explain the statistically significant differences between the science mean scores and attitudes of students in different language instruction schools. Estonian schools were grouped according to their socioeconomic intake relative to the national average into three categories: advantaged, disadvantaged and mixed schools. The analysis of the socioeconomic composition of different language instruction schools showed that the Estonian and Russian language instruction schools are mostly mixed schools. The results did not support the assertion that weaker performance is connected with disadvantaged background of students or schools either. Although students in Russian language instruction schools reported higher levels of motivation, more innovative classroom activities and they were more informed about science-related careers, the students in Estonian language instruction schools outperformed the Russian-speaking students in science. The results support an opinion that the students’ performance and engagement differences are rather connected with classroom level instructional approaches and learning culture. Key words: PISA, socioeconomic background of students and schools, students’ science performance and attitudes, teaching practices.

Young Children's Aspirations in Science: The unequivocal, the uncertain and the unthinkable

Students' lack of interest in studying science and in science-related careers is a concern in the UK and worldwide. Yet there is limited data, particularly longitudinal, on the sources and development of science-related aspirations. In response, the ASPIRES (Science Aspirations and Career Choice: Age 10–14) longitudinal study is investigating the development of students' educational and occupational aspirations over time. In the first phase of the project, a questionnaire exploring science-related aspirations and interests was completed by over 9,000 primary school students across England. This survey allowed us to explore possible associations between attitudes and aspirations, links which have not been investigated in previous attitudinal studies of this scope. Overall, students expressed positive attitudes to science, reported positive parental attitudes to science and held very positive images of scientists. Multilevel modelling analyses revealed that aspirations in science were most strongly related to parental attitudes to science, attitudes to school science and self-concept in science, and are also associated with students' gender, ethnicity and cultural capital. However, the images students held of scientists were not as closely related to aspirations. These factors are discussed in more detail within the paper, alongside a consideration of possible school-related effects.

Youth Motivation to Participate in Animal Science-Related Career Development Events

Youth Motivation to Participate in Animal Science-Related Career Development Events

Schools That Make a Difference to Post-Compulsory Uptake of Physical Science Subjects: Some comparative case studies in England

This paper presents the findings of the qualitative component of a combined methods research study that explores a range of individual and school factors that influence the uptake of chemistry and physics in post-compulsory study in England. The first phase involves using the National Pupil Database to provide a sampling frame to identify four matched pairs of high-uptake and low-uptake schools by salient school factors. Case studies of these eight schools indicate that students employ selection strategies related to their career aspirations, their sense of identity and tactics, and their prior experience. The school factors influencing subject choice relate to school management, student support and guidance, and student empowerment. The most notable differences between students in high-uptake and low-uptake schools are that students in high-uptake schools appear to make a proactive choice in relation to career aspirations, rather than a reactive choice on the basis of past experience. Schools with a high uptake offer a diverse science curriculum in the final two years of compulsory study, set higher examination entry requirements for further study and, crucially, provide a range of opportunities for students to interact with the world of work and to gain knowledge and experience of science-related careers.

College students’ attitudes toward chemistry, conceptual knowledge and achievement: structural equation model analysis

Students’ success in introductory college-level chemistry courses is important for them to continue to more advanced science courses and to progress toward science-related careers. Previous studies indicate that both cognitive and non-cognitive variables are relevant for student success. In this study, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to predict students’ achievement in chemistry from both cognitive (math ability, prior conceptual knowledge in chemistry) and non-cognitive (attitude toward chemistry) measures. The purpose of this study is to investigate which of three alternative SEM models best represents the relationships among these variables and achievement in chemistry, and what proportion of variance in chemistry achievement can be explained. Results provide support for using a SEM model with all three predictors, with 69% of the variance in chemistry achievement explained. Both prior conceptual knowledge and attitude toward chemistry contribute a significant unique portion to the prediction of chemistry achievement when controlling for math ability. The results suggest that instructors can improve students’ achievement in chemistry not only by focusing on helping them to build conceptual knowledge, but also by fostering their positive attitude toward chemistry. This study also has implications for SEM researchers, both to further replicate the study in other contexts, and to add other potentially relevant predictors. Instrument developers may also use the modeling strategy as a springboard for optimizing assessment tools.

Rutgers Young Horse Teaching and Research Program: Undergraduate student outcomes1

Equine teaching and research programs are popular but expensive components of most land grant universities. External funding for equine research, however, is limited and restricts undergraduate research opportunities that enhance student learning. In 1999, a novel undergraduate teaching and research program was initiated at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. A unique aspect of this program was the use of young horses generally considered "at risk" and in need of rescue but of relatively low value. The media interest in such horses was utilized to advantage to obtain funding for the program. The use of horses from pregnant mare urine (PMU) ranches and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mustangs held the risks of attracting negative publicity, potential of injury while training previously unhandled young horses, and uncertainty regarding re-sale value; however, none of these concerns were realized. For 12 years the Young Horse Teaching and Research Program received extensive positive press and provided invaluable learning opportunities for students. Over 500 students, at least 80 of which were minorities, participated in not only horse management and training but also research, event planning, public outreach, fund-raising, and website development. Public and industry support provided program sustainability with only basic University infrastructural support despite severe economic downturns. Student research projects generated 25 research abstracts presented at national and international meetings and 14 honors theses. Over 100 students went on to veterinary school or other higher education programs, and more than 100 others pursued equine- or science-related careers. Laudatory popular press articles were published in a wide variety of breed/discipline journals and in local and regional newspapers each year. Taking the risk of using "at risk" horses yielded positive outcomes for all, especially the undergraduate students.

Using the Amazing atmosphere to Foster Student Learning and Interest in Meteorology

To engage students in active learning, the Oceanography Department at the United States Naval Academy developed a new, not-for-course-credit training activity for its students, the Severe Weather InField Training (SWIFT). In SWIFT, 10 students and 2 faculty members traveled to the Great Plains and met with operational and research meteorologists, led daily weather discussions, made daily convective forecasts, and verified their convective forecasts by observing severe storms. Participation was solicited from sophomore- and junior-level students. SWIFT built on similar activities developed by other universities with its particular emphasis on assessing student learning and broadening awareness of both Department of Defense and civilian career opportunities in meteorology. Assessment outcomes from SWIFT indicate that students deepened their understanding of severe weather processes, were equipped to use observational and modeling data in real time, applied course content to real-world situations, became active participants in science inquiry, were introduced to a variety of meteorology career options, and increased their interest in pursuing a science-related career.

Opening Pathways for Underrepresented High School Students to Biomedical Research Careers: The Emory University RISE Program

Increasing the college graduation rates of underrepresented minority students in science disciplines is essential to attain a diverse workforce for the 21st century. The Research Internship and Science Education (RISE) program attempts to motivate and prepare students from the Atlanta Public School system, where underrepresented minority (URM) students comprise a majority of the population, for biomedical science careers by offering the opportunity to participate in an original research project. Students work in a research laboratory from the summer of their sophomore year until graduation, mentored by undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (postdocs). In addition, they receive instruction in college-level biology, scholastic assessment test (SAT) preparation classes, and help with the college application process. During the last 4 yr, RISE students have succeeded in the identification and characterization of a series of proteins involved in the regulation of nuclear organization and transcription. All but 1 of 39 RISE students have continued on to 4-year college undergraduate studies and 61% of those students are currently enrolled in science-related majors. These results suggest that the use of research-based experiences at the high school level may contribute to the increased recruitment of underrepresented students into science-related careers.

‘Qatari Students’ Interest in Attitudes toward Science: the Impact of the Educational Reform on Science Education in Qatar

There has been a serious decline over the last 15 years in the number of students studying mathematics and science at both secondary and tertiary levels of education in Qatar. This paper explores the major factors influencing student attitudes towards science, as well as the interest and enrollment in science subjects, by addressing the following question: What are Qatari precollege students’ interest in, and attitudes toward, science in grades 3 through 12? Answers to this research question relied on data from a comprehensive pilot study involving a 60 question Likert scale survey (April / May 2011) to nearly 400 students, across grades 3-12, from 18 randomly selected independent schools education in Qatar. The results of this survey indicated that nearly half of students surveyed have shown an interest in pursuing science- related university programs, or, work in science-related careers; about two thirds of the students enjoyed science classes at their schools; 60% considered science subjects as the most interesting subjects and 79% considered science as important for their future careers. The survey also revealed that two thirds of the students prefer to study science in English language despite the commonly held belief of most teachers that a language factor is one among the top barriers to students’ achievement in science. The positive impact of new educational reforms beginning with the 2003 “Education for a New Era” is noticeable in the reasonably positive attitude of students toward, and high interest in, science as shown by the above study (Spring 2011), as well as in recently improved international tests scores (PISA 2009).

Science Engagement and Literacy: A Retrospective Analysis for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Students in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia

Previous research has underlined the importance of school students’ engagement in science (including students’ attitudes, interests and self beliefs). Engagement in science is important as a correlate of scientific literacy and attainment, and as an educational outcome in its own right. Students positively engaged with science are more likely to pursue science related careers, and to support science related policies and initiatives. This retrospective, secondary analysis of PISA 2006 national data for Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia examines and compares the factors associated with science literacy and with science engagement for indigenous and non-indigenous 15 year old students. Using a four step hierarchical regression model, our secondary analyses showed consistent patterns of influence on engagement in science for both indigenous and non-indigenous students in Aotearoa and Australia. Variations in students’ interest, enjoyment, personal and general valuing, self-efficacy, and self concept in science were most strongly associated with the extent to which students engaged in science activities outside of school. In contrast, socioeconomic status, time spent on science lessons and study, and the character of science teaching experienced by students in their schools were the factors most explanatory of variations in science literacy. Yet, the factors that explained variation in science literacy had only quite weak associations with the suite of variables comprising engagement in science. We discuss the implications of these findings for science educators and researchers interested in enhancing students’ engagement with science, and committed to contributing positively to closing the persistent gap in educational outcomes between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.

Improving Graduate Education to Support a Branching Career Pipeline: Recommendations Based on a Survey of Doctoral Students in the Basic Biomedical Sciences

Today's doctoral programs continue to prepare students for a traditional academic career path despite the inadequate supply of research-focused faculty positions. We advocate for a broader doctoral curriculum that prepares trainees for a wide range of science-related career paths. In support of this argument, we describe data from our survey of doctoral students in the basic biomedical sciences at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Midway through graduate training, UCSF students are already considering a broad range of career options, with one-third intending to pursue a non–research career path. To better support this branching career pipeline, we recommend that national standards for training and mentoring include emphasis on career planning and professional skills development to ensure the success of PhD-level scientists as they contribute to a broadly defined global scientific enterprise.

Inquiry-Based Science and Technology Enrichment Program: Green Earth Enhanced with Inquiry and Technology

This study investigated the effectiveness of a guided inquiry integrated with technology, in terms of female middle-school students’ attitudes toward science/scientists and content knowledge regarding selective science concepts (e.g., Greenhouse Effect, Air/Water Quality, Alternative Energy, and Human Health). Thirty-five female students who were entering eighth grade attended an intensive, 1-week Inquiry-Based Science and Technology Enrichment Program which used a main theme, “Green Earth Enhanced with Inquiry and Technology.” We used pre- and post-attitude surveys, pre- and post-science content knowledge tests, and selective interviews to collect data and measure changes in students’ attitudes and content knowledge. The study results indicated that at the post-intervention measures, participants significantly improved their attitudes toward science and science-related careers and increased their content knowledge of selected science concepts (p < .05).

“It depends on what science teacher you got”: urban science self-efficacy from teacher and student voices

In the United States today, urban schools serve the majority of high-poverty and high minority populations including large numbers of Hispanic students. While many Hispanic students perform below grade level in middle school science, the science teaching community as a whole is lacking elements of diversity as teachers struggle to meet the needs of all learners. Researchers have recognized that science teacher effectiveness, one consequence of self-efficacy among teachers, is associated with future science achievement and science-related careers of their students. This qualitative study explores how three science teachers’ effectiveness in the classroom impacts students’ science self-efficacy beliefs at one urban middle school. Hispanic students were the focus of this investigation due to demographics and history of underperformance within this district. Teachers’ perspectives, as well as outside observer evaluations of instructional strategies and classroom climates were triangulated to explore dynamics that influence students’ interests and motivation to learn science using a framework to link teachers’ sense of efficacy (focusing on student outcomes). Findings suggest the impact teacher effectiveness can have on student outcomes, including strengthened student science self-efficacy and increased science achievement. Building awareness and support in teachers’ sense of efficacy, as well as developing respectful and supportive relationships between educator/facilitator and pupil during the transition to middle school may construct permanence and accomplishment for all in science.

Effects of Elementary Students' Perception and Experiences of Science and Mathematics on their Science-Related Career Aspiration

Effects of Elementary Students' Perception and Experiences of Science and Mathematics on their Science-Related Career Aspiration