Young People in Science and Technology

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Young Peoplein Science and Technology
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Young peoples attitudes towardsmaths, science
and technology

• Relevance of Science Education (ROSE)
• International comparative research project meant
  to shed light on factors of importance to the
  learning of science and technology as perceived
  by the learners
• Lead by Professor Svein Sjoberg at the University
  of Oslo
• Target population is students towards the end of
  secondary school around the age of 15
• At least 650 students have been asked in each of
  the 34 countries that have responded
• OECD and EU use ROSE data as credible indications
  of young peoples attitudes towards science and
  technology

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Source ROSE (2007) Reaching the minds and hearts
of young people
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Source ROSE (2007) Reaching the minds and hearts
of young people
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Interest in Science and Technology
Source ROSE (2007) Reaching the minds and hearts
of young people
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Interest in Science and Technology vs. HDI
Source ROSE (2007) Reaching the minds and hearts
of young people
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Source ROSE (2005) Young people and science -
Attitudes, values and priorities
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Source ROSE (2007) Reaching the minds and hearts
of young people
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Source ROSE (2007) Reaching the minds and hearts
of young people
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Source ROSE (2007) Reaching the minds and hearts
of young people
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Source ROSE (2007) Reaching the minds and hearts
of young people
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Application, enrolment and graduation figures

• In 2006, OECD published the Evolution of Student
  Interest in Science and Technology Studies Policy
  Report. The report analyses enrolment and
  graduation figures from 19 countries within OECD.
• Uneven trend in the absolute number of science
  and technology pupils in upper secondary
  education
• Decline in the relative number of science and
  technology pupils in upper secondary education
• Incline in the absolute number of science and
  technology students in tertiary education
• Decline in the relative number of science and
  technology students in tertiary education

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Application, enrolment and graduation figures
1993-2003 Average annual change in the absolute
number of science and technology students in
tertiary education
Source OECD (2006)
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Application, enrolment and graduation figures
1993-2003 Average annual change in the
percentage of science and technology students in
tertiary education
Source OECD (2006)
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Application, enrolment and graduation figures
Data source Eurostat (2007)
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Application, enrolment and graduation figures
Data source Högskoleverket (2007)
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Application, enrolment and graduation figures
Data source Skolverket (2007)
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Estimations of the demand for human resources in
the field of science and technology

• No credible indicators exist due to complexity in
  modelling and high uncertainty
• Lack of human resources for science and
  technology will be unavoidable if trends persist
• International demand for EU-born human resources
  for science and technology is increasing
• The United States is highly dependant on large
  inflows of foreign human resources for science
  and technology but talent import success has
  weakened since 2001
• Asia is to an increasing extent retaining its own
  stock of human resources for science and
  technology

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Factors of importance to young peoples interest
in maths, science and technology
Interest in Education
Interest in Work
Maths, science and technology are perceived to
have unclear relevance and benefits for society
and young peoples own lives
Young people lack adequate and correct
information on maths, science and technology
professions, careers and career prospects
Students
Young people lack role models with maths, science
and technology professions who can provide
evidence and examples of careers and career
prospects
Young people lack good role models in maths,
science and technology whose experience they can
relate to and who can provide evidence of
relevance and benefits for society and young
peoples own lives
Teachers lack self confidence and up-to-date
information on scientific and educational
developments in maths, science and technology
Teachers lack up-to-date information on how
maths, science and technology are used in society
in general and industry in particular
Teachers