The problemThis section provides a brief review of literature relating to science enrolments and provides information about what strategies are currently being implemented to arrest the decline.
Many children appear to become disenchanted with science when they enter high schol and see the subject as irrelevant and uninteresting (Goodrum, Hackling, & Rennie, 2001). As students reach adolescence and the time comes for subject electives to be chosen for the HSC, these disinterested students choose alternative subjects from the wide range of subjects now available in schools (Lyons & Quinn, 2010). The subjects students choose to study in their final years of schooling have a major influence on the career and educational options open to them (Thomson, 2005; Ainley, Kos & Nicholas, 2008). |
Australia needs scientistsAustralia needs future scientists and a scientifically informed populace to deal with the demands of modern technology and twenty first century problems and ensure the future prosperity of the Nation (Ministerial Council on Training, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs, 2008; Office of the Chief Scientist, 2012; Tytler, 2007). The fall in enrolments in science generally and particularly in the chemistry, mathematics and physics has led to the forecast of a problem with the supply of scientists and has made the issue a National priority (Ainley, Kos & Nicholas, 2008; Dobson, 2006; Goodrum, Druhan & Abbs, 2012; Lyons & Quinn, 2010). Science, technology and innovation are stated as key drivers in the Australian labour market to 2025 and there is concern that falling participation in science will affect a broad range of sectors within the Australian economy (Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency, 2012; Office of the Chief Scientist, 2012).
|
The choice of science as an elective is considered the first decision point in the path to becoming a scientist as the subjects students choose to study in their final years has a major influence on the career and educational options open to them (Boe et al., 2011; Thomson, 2005).
Find out about the research that has been done in this area in 'current research'.
Find out about the research that has been done in this area in 'current research'.