|
This finding has implications for the teaching of
science according to the study's author, Professor
Helen Haste. "If we want to get girls more
interested in science and technology, we must move
away from purveying the 'space and techie'
stereotype that seems to appeal to boys and bring
ethics and the human context into the science
curriculum." Professor Helen Haste is Director of
the Nestlé Social Research Programme. Of the young
people interviewed, a third of boys and a third of
girls would be interested in a job relating to
science; an encouraging finding, given the declining
numbers entering some fields of university science.
Girls like their science with a conscience
The most striking finding is that girls who are
enthusiastic about a career related to science are
the most critical of it. They are most concerned
about ethical issues and are most sceptical of
claims that science can solve human problems like
poverty and unhappiness. These girls are also less
interested in science fiction. Boys who would like a
career in science, in contrast, more closely fit the
popular image of science. They are keen on space and
technology, believe that science can be applied
widely to human problems and are less concerned by
ethical issues. According to Professor Haste,
"These results are very surprising. We might expect
that girls who are critical of science or worried
about ethics would be those who are least tuned into
science. But it seems that for girls, being more
interested in science goes hand in hand with
sensitivity to ethical issues, dangers, and the
context in which scientific development happens.
Also girls don't seem to equate science and
technology in the way that boys do. Girls separate
science, which they like, from technology, which
they find much less appealing." These findings
come from a national study, 'Science in my future',
of 704 young people aged 11 - 21 years, conducted by
the Nestlé Social Research Programme, with fieldwork
undertaken by MORI. The project explored young
people's attitudes and values around science and
technology. The study shows that overall, young
people are quite positive about the benefits of
science and technology, but many are concerned about
animal experimentation, and how science can be
applied to ordinary human concerns. Over one half of
young people trust scientists to make responsible
judgements about the dangers of their work, but only
a third trust government to make necessary laws to
control any dangerous developments in science. The
majority would like more money spent on finding a
cure for AIDS, and making environmentally-friendly
products. They are less enthusiastic about spending
more money on space exploration and developing
robots. Other findings:
Seven out of ten (69%) agree that 'Science and
technology are making our lives healthier, easier
and more comfortable'. Around four out of ten would
like to see more money spent on genetic research for
improved food production (43%), on research for
national defence (41%) and on finding out what makes
people aggressive (39%). 48% of boys, but only 24%
of girls, would like more money spent on space
exploration, and about the same proportion (46% and
27% respectively) would like to see money spent on
trying to find life on other planets. Six out of ten
(66% of girls, 51% of boys) agree that
'Experimenting on animals is always morally wrong'.
Ends For further information and photos
please contact:
Penny Clifton/Gemma Merton
Nestlé Social Research Programme Secretariat
Tel: 020 7388 9988
Email:
nsrp@spreckley.co.uk
Web: www.spreckley.co.uk/nestle
July 14th 2004
Technical Note
A sample of 1,058 young people aged 11 – 21 were
interviewed between 22 April and 21 May 2004. 600
pupils completed a paper based self completion
questionnaire across 25 schools/colleges. 159
university students and 299 of those aged 16 – 21 no
longer in full time education completed an online
self completion questionnaire. Data were weighted to
the known population of this audience. The
questionnaire was versioned with 704 young people
answering the section on Science. |
