Children’s and Adolescents’ Specific Interest in Science and Technology, Participation in Out-of-School Activities and Inclination to Become Scientists

Autor: Iris Merino, María José Rochera, Judith Oller, César Coll
Rok vydání: 2019
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Science Education and Technology. 28:399-413
ISSN: 1573-1839
1059-0145
DOI: 10.1007/s10956-019-09776-w
Popis: Recently, the literature has repeatedly reported an interesting decrease in science and technology (S&T) among youngsters, and a drop of students choosing professions related to these knowledge areas. This study pursued to assess the interest of primary and secondary pupils in specific fields of S&T and to relate this interest to their predisposition to engage in S&T-related out-of-school activities and their inclination to become scientists in the future. A questionnaire on S&T interests and attitudes was administered to a sample of 1336 pupils. Results show that, overall, the inclination to become scientists was low. However, we found a relationship between pupils’ interest in areas of S&T and their predisposition to participate in out-of-school S&T activities, and also between their interest and their inclination to become scientists. Moreover, significant age- and sex-related differences concerning all these aspects were identified. We discuss the importance of acknowledging children’s and adolescents’ specific interest to promote their participation in S&T-related school activities and out-of-school activities. We also urge that information about scientific and technological careers be disseminated in schools in order to increase students’ interest in these areas.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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