ERIC Number: EJ1044882
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Dec
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1059-0145
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Analysis of the Decline in Interest Towards School Science and Technology from Grades 5 through 11
Potvin, Patrice; Hasni, Abdelkrim
Journal of Science Education and Technology, v23 n6 p784-802 Dec 2014
Interest in school science and technology (S&T) remains an important issue as it is linked to achievement and the intention to pursue studies or careers in S&T. Around the world, a number of studies have shown that interest in S&T declines with school years. However, some divergences from the general trend have been demonstrated in certain contexts, sub-periods, or for closely related subconstructs. We administered 2,628 questionnaires to students in grades 5 through 11 in the province of Québec, Canada. The questionnaire explored many factors (including out-of-school and school-related preferences, difficulty, importance, frequency), allowing us to track these closely related variables for a seven-year period. Among others, the results show a general degradation in-school S&T factors but an improvement in out-of-school S&T variables and of interest in S&T studies and careers. S&T is perceived as increasingly difficult and valuable compared with all other subject matters taken one-on-one. Some shorter fluctuations are analysed and interpreted in comparison with the evolution of certain teaching practices.
Descriptors: Science Interests, Student Interests, Elementary School Students, Secondary School Students, Questionnaires, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Elementary School Science, Secondary School Science, Influences, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Secondary Education; Grade 5; Intermediate Grades; Middle Schools; Grade 6; Grade 7; Junior High Schools; Grade 8; Grade 9; High Schools; Grade 10; Grade 11
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A