And the companion to Science and Engineering Indicators is titled
"America's Pressing Challenge - Building a Stronger Foundation".  So the
Americans obviously think they have a problem.

Mark

Mark Dyball
Director
People Science & Policy Ltd
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-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Simon ,Louise
Sent: 20 September 2006 11:45
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Science admissions in the USA and Canada

The latest Science and Engineering Indicators from the National Science
Foundation show that enrollment in science and engineering courses has
increased over the last few years, after a decline in the late 1990s.
See http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind06/c2/c2h.htm for details.
 
However, the following research (found on Psci-comLit
http://www.intute.ac.uk/healthandlifesciences/pscicom/pscicomlit.html)
indicates a decline in postive attitudes towards science over the school
years:
 
George, R. A cross-domain analysis of change in students' attitudes
toward science and attitudes about the utility of science. 
International journal of science education, Vol. 28, No. 6, 12 May 2006
pp. 571-589 
Students' attitudes towards science and the utility of science over the
middle school and high school years in the United States were explored.
Using cross-domain analysis, these changes were measured in relation to
time-varying social and psychological factors such as science
self-concept, peer attitudes, teacher encouragement, and student
participation in scientific activities. Overall, results showed that
students' attitudes about the utility of science were positive, but
positive attitudes towards science declined over the school years. 

Hope this helps.

Louise
Wellcome Library

________________________________

From: psci-com: on public engagement with science on behalf of Tamasin
Greenough Graham
Sent: Wed 20/09/2006 10:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PSCI-COM] Science admissions in the USA and Canada



We all know that persuading 6th formers to apply for science courses,
especially pure science courses at University is a bit of an uphill
struggle at the minute, and Universities across the country are watching
their application figures carefully. But does anyone know whether this
is also the case in the USA and Canada, and could point me to any web
sites or papers about the problem (if there is a problem) over there?

Many thanks,
Tamasin

Tamasin Greenough Graham
Rothschild Community of Excellence
University of Leeds
0113 343 3778
[log in to unmask]





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