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 problem 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

Oh my. Your question is deserving of a great answer. I wish I had one. I sit here wondering the same thing!

{sigh} Well, the first thing that comes to mind is that science -- like any subject -- needs to be taught in a way that relates to students' lives. While it may be a trivial example, a student might be more motivated to learn electronics if the topic were how a cell phone or a DVD recorder works as opposed to using a less treasured device for the lesson. A discussion of astrobiology (if that is taught at a high school level) could be made more exciting by asking students to suggest their own (possibly skeptical) figures for entry into the famous Drake Equation. They might be fascinated to see that the result of their own choices suggests a million intelligent civilizations in our galaxy. These may not be the best examples, but that personal involvement/investment is my point.

There's a great old episode of the Andy Griffith show in which Opie's teacher is disheartened by the students' lack of interest in history, so Andy (in his down home way) tells a small group of the boys about Paul Revere (as I recall) that has them so riveted they don't even realize they're learning. Science has had gifted teachers like that, such as Carl Sagan, Bill Nye, and Neil deGrasse Tyson. But apparently not enough to shatter the stereotype of boring guy in lab coat or glasses and a pocket-protector.

With that in mind, I give you a few websites which may be helpful in making science fun:

http://www.funsci.com/texts/wsites_en.htm

http://www.tsof.edu.au/resources/science/

http://www.griffith.edu.au/er/gazette/diversity/articles/making-science-fun.html

http://www3.mdanderson.org/public/conquest/public_html//SPRING1995/teachers.html

I hope they are of some use. I think it's important that a teacher is *himself* (or herself) enthused about science, and aware of its benefits and critical importance in our society (as you mention).

Though you seem aware, here are some sites which may reinforce your own feelings and put them into words you hadn't considered before:

Why support science?
http://www.fnal.gov/pub/inquiring/matter/whysupport/index.html

DECLARATION ON SCIENCE
AND THE USE OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE
http://www.unesco.org/science/wcs/eng/declaration_e.htm

Beyond the Laboratory: Social Benefits of Science and Technology and International Cooperation
http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/rm/2006/69455.htm

Another suggestion I have is to incorporate the best multimedia presentations you can find (and which your school can afford) because these glossy audio-visuals with high production value may do a better job of holding an MTV-generation student's attention than any teacher could do.

Hands-on involvement is also important, I believe. Trying to make sense of data without doing the experiments (or at least seeing them done) is understandably dull to many people.

I want to add so much more, but it's getting very late and my head is clogging up. I'll finish by saying please believe in the importance of what you do (if you're a teacher, yourself) or of spreading the word. It's a wonderful thing. So many of today's problems can be traced directly back to a poor understanding of science.

Lastly, here's a link to a previous "best answer" of mine with a very similar theme. Sorry to self-promote, but it probably covers things I forgot to mention here. Thanks for reading, and for raising the question. Science is so cool!

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqIPi4qZa8shnJbSTzH9eqzsy6IX?qid=20060723192128AA95m3Z&show=7#profile-info-2cc640a60c2eb459240615eb0b9dbf83aa

Answer 2

I am electrical engineering major at columbia U. Anyway the problem is that its that science and math isn't cool and can be difficult. In addition the public doesnt money in it. Nip tuck CSi how many little boys and girls wana do that now. Moreover, technology in the united state among adult and teenager is takin for granted, how many people on the internet can explain in depth how it works and the computer they are using to access the internet, some godawful fraction.

To get kids interested perform interesting experiments crack a light bulb watch the filament burn, make nylon from a reaction, or watch old 50's mr.Wizard experiment, many explosions. Tell them of good salaries and a job anywhere in the country.

There are numerous scholarships, and higher financial aid, for science and eng, good ones 30,000 a yr for everyone but white men,


Though in college, when everyone sees the friends at sneezing on a sheet of paper and getting A's in liberal arts classes, while being treated like chattel, they have a couple beers and switch majors.

Answer 3

It might be that science class, to many students, is to hard a subject, or not enjoyable enough. Teachers need to make science class more interesting, and fun. Maybe by doing more science experiments in the class, or even out of the class. There are alot of difficult things to learn. Finding ways to teach these elements, and the like, in easier, and enjoyable ways will help the students to learn better. Teachers could also try to be mentors for those students interested in the field of science.

Answer 4

im australia and im gnna tell u my science year story lmao
well last year we had 3 dif. science teachers
the 1st 1 was a young lady and she was really good at her job: my scores became higher and i actually enjoyed science
teh 2nd was okay as she continued in a similar style of teaching like the first young 1
but the 2rd 1, gosh there is alot 2 say:
we had him for the majority of the year. he didnt know english perfectly, didnt allow us to do experiments, had made a seating arrangements (not near friends), didnt even allow us to ask questions for help or like what does this mean etc..., and guess what? i had to have him even though we were the highest class.

he has really ruined science for the people he taught. this year i am in the top highest class again and our teacher (a polish lady) is astonished that he didnt allow us to do all these basic things. because of him, we fell behind in our curriculum and now have to catch up with so much work and learn what the science instruments are.
how annoeying
now finally to answer your question:
to motivate students (lke myself) to liek science let alone pursue a career in science is to make it interesting and to get good equipment and a GOOD TEACHER that will guide the students to excel.

hope i helped

Answer 5

I would say it takes a village to raise a scientist. Since my girls were little, we went to museums, did experiements (science kits), watched the stars. One is working on her Master's in Biology. The other is soon starting college in science. They also had wonderful science teachers who did lots of labs and gave them great assignments for home.

Answer 6

I am a student, Science dosent interest me, why? because my school cannot afford labs and microscope.