News & Views item - April  2005

 

 

Macquarie University to Analyse the Disinterest in Science. (April 7, 2005)

    The fact that science subjects have been given short shrift for over a decade in Australia and much of the "Western World" at the secondary and tertiary educational levels is hardly news. Now according to The Australian Macquarie University has commissioned a year-long survey into who is - and who isn't - studying science and why.

 

Ebru Yaman reports that Madeline Raison will survey teachers, high school students, science academics, science and non-students university students and private sector employers of scientists.

 

According to Ms Raison, "Basically, I'm here to investigate what factors influence the choices of [students] who come to study in science and technology programs. There has been a concerted government push to increase levels of interest in science and to encourage the study of science at school ... and it isn't really translating into the numbers at university."  She went on to say the question is, "...also about asking if we can do a lot better at catching those who are interested in science," and concluded, "I do believe that there is not enough information on job opportunities. I think part of the problem and the solution might be communicating opportunities in science and technology."

 

Professor John O'Connor, head of the School of Mathematical & Physical Sciences University of Newcastle is one of the prime movers in Newcastle University's Faculties of Engineering and Science pooling resources together with service organisations, industry and the NSW Department of Education and Training in developing the Science and Engineering Challenge to increase secondary school students' participation in the enabling sciences.

 

Professor O'Connor told TFW:

The concept of this study is a good start but I fear that it won't probe what is already missing.

 

Students will identify issues that impact on them, but the core issue is that there are too few science teachers well trained in the enabling sciences. It's they who can make the subject so much more exciting, relevant and understandable. Unless the students have been exposed to such influences during their studies, it may not be an area they consider important.

 

Does that mean it is unimportant - no it doesn't. Listen to the people who are our most outstanding scientists and teachers. The one message I have heard time and again is the impact that one particular teacher or event had on them in deciding to take science as a career. We need more of those inspirational core science teachers.

 

I would hope that the Macquarie researchers have structured their study to find out what the students haven't experienced. Unprompted the students or current teachers may not highlight this issue.

 


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