How can we motivate high school students to become more interested in science and pursue careers in science?

Question

There isn't a doubt that science is the future. There is nothing else more essential for the advancement of society in the long run. The only way America can remain at the top is if it's science and technology is the most advanced. The problem is, from my experiences in high school, it seems as if many students just don't seem to be interested or motivated to pursue careers in science. This problems is becoming ever more pressing, with other countries catching up to us economically, and now with grant cuts and research restrictions imposed by the US government. How can we motivate these students to pursue careers in science?

Answer 1

What got me interested in science was how my teachers taught. They did many demonstrations, especialyin chemestry. My teacher exploded, lit on fire, or just did crazy experiments almost every day before and during classes. In my Biology classes we had lots of labs which i found to be a lot better than just lecture. She would lecture for like 15 min and then wed go back and work on labs. Found this to be so much more exciting, and got me excited to actually go to class because I never knew what to expect!

Answer 2

Given that over the past 10 years the majority of BAs in science were awarded to women and yet only 10% of scientists working in their filed or academia are women, it seems that this is more a question of discrimination than motivation. (see last month’s times) However, I can think of two things that would help – require everyone from tutors to principals, administrators to test prep and teachers, to undergo math science and IQ tests and cut this cancer out. Secondly, I would require a strict reading of our constitution that we shall not promote religion and stop handling ignorance with kid gloves. People have culturally assimilated the idea now that everyone’s beliefs are equal, which is why there are people who don’t ‘believe ‘ in global warming, evolution, or that the earth is not the center of the universe. That needs to be addressed by refuting and then passing over outmoded religions in the classroom. A great big ‘sorry you’re wrong and your parents are too’ in the 2nd grade would work wonders. If I have to go back and explain the wheel and fire to every college student only to have them open their yaps and say ‘I don’t believe in pollution’ we’re not going anywhere in the future. I suppose we can also blame our more balkanized and nepotistic society- since it benefits the stupid, and stupid people don’t like/ understand basic scientific principles and take refuge in their ‘faith and beliefs’ instead. On a cultural level we can stop acting like these things have some intrinsic value. However, on every news station we end up mocking science or having some politician or celebrity talk about their beliefs. Is it any wonder kids aren’t interested if the field has no future (for girls) and for all children their years of study can be nullified by a simple line from the most ignorant of human detritus saying, “well, I believe…”

Answer 3

Only God has the right to give the absolute motivation , so we must not force them , they must choose whatever they want. We just do our jobs and they shall see what they like .My daughter is against any teacher even the teacher of dance .She is 9 and half.She wants me to become her teacher at highschool...at least..'cos I was a teacher from time to time ..

But don't worry , you know that it is enough a few good students ..in science .Bill Gates was only one wasn't he ?One think cannot be invented by too many..because man is a single person and Edison was one , so God gives an idea only to one ...the main ideea...I noticed ...

Then there is another problem ..I don't like a society of machines , because man is not a machine ..when fall in love ..he cannot love with a PC ...You see , God ,life , man woman comes first , so let them first have a humanist education ...then they can choose a technique ...they would love to make many to buy their girl a diamond ring...

You can draw attention to what you want to explain using a humanist thought -if yiu are a teacher ..For example the teacher of dance of my daughter of 9 and half y.o. told their little students about sacrifice while teaching dance ..having a pause on the floor ...It was brilliant ...

Answer 4

I once had an Oceanography teacher (an elective) who was the best teacher I ever had, absolutely loved the guy. Terrible that now his name has slipped my mind. Anyway, he asked us, at the start of his course, to tell him what, within the realm of Oceanography, we would like to learn about.

Most of us said Dolphins, or whales, or the like. Larger species, of which we were already somewhat familiar.

The course started with plankton's and micro-algae etc, and we never got anywhere near Dolphins and Whales up the food chain.

Now, again, I absolutely loved the guy. But thinking back, science in school should start, and spent years, getting kids interested by teaching them about the science involved in the things they already know. After High School the college level courses can expand with the more minute. But they'll have a lot more applicants by then for the science courses, I can assure you.

Short answer, schools should make science interesting by making it practical, encouraging kids to desire to look further.

Answer 5

It really is true that people are wired differently for different things. This holds true for those you are trying to steer towards the math and science professions. You can make science and technology interesting and fun to many students, but there will always be a select few who have the natural inclination for those studies to make it a career. You may want to concentrate your energy on those students who demonstrate an aptitude and inclination for those subjects, and focus on what they can do for a future in those fields...Good Luck

Answer 6

Make the subject relevant to students-more hands-on activities. I have learned that the traditional way of teaching needs to be change for today's MTV generation. New books such as College Prep Mathematics are very good in getting kids interested in math and science.
If all else fails, show students the average salary of an engineer, mathematician, etc.

Answer 7

There are some phenomenas in diffrent branches of science (chemistry-physics ...) that may be very interesting to hear or observe . I think one of the best ways to motivate high school students is telling or showing them such ideas. of course binding scientific materials to thier real life ( mechanics-thermo ... ) may be interesting. it is good that before going straight to teaching , ACTIVE students background information and reminding them about usage of scientific matters in their real life.

Answer 8

STOP teaching about rocks! stop teaching out of the old *** books.
START talking about inovations in science. talk about the science things that RELATE to kids.
Do more HANDS-ON expierements!
member-->Stoptheinvasion is talking of her own children.

Answer 9

give them more science scolar ships increase payment for scientific research

Answer 10

They must first learn to read~