The 'Choosing Science?' Project Phase One: Science Teachers' Perceptions of the Influences on Enrolment Declines

Title
The 'Choosing Science?' Project Phase One: Science Teachers' Perceptions of the Influences on Enrolment Declines
Publication Date
2008
Author(s)
Lyons, Terry
Editor
Editor(s): B Cavas
Type of document
Conference Publication
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Palme Publications
Place of publication
Ankara, Turkey
UNE publication id
une:11525
Abstract
This paper presents preliminary findings from Phase One of 'Choosing Science?', an Australian study investigating influences on high school students' decisions about enrolling in senior science courses. Phase One comprised a survey of science teachers (N=589) about their perceptions of the causes behind declines in science enrolments since the early 1990s. The findings indicate that teachers perceive the declines to be principally due to student characteristics, rather than those of teachers, the curriculum or science careers. In particular, teachers considered students' preferences for less academically demanding courses or those requiring less rigor than conventionally found in science courses to have contributed most to the decline. Students were also seen to prefer courses they regard as more interesting than science. Teacher responses to the survey provided directions for investigation in Phase Two of 'Choosing Science?' (a national survey of Year 10 students), and a basis for comparing the perceptions of students and their teachers.
Link
Citation
The Use of Science and Technology Education for Peace and Sustainable Development: Proceedings of the 13th IOSTE Symposium, p. 186-195
ISBN
9786055829162
Start page
186
End page
195

Files:

NameSizeformatDescriptionLink