Explores the relationship between television viewing preferences and interest in science among 11- to 15-year olds (n=5432). After controlling for age, sex, and social class differences, the data demonstrate a negative relationship between attitude toward science and watching soap operas, a positive relationship with current awareness programs and…

Reports a study's findings of which factors influence Nigerian secondary school students' choice of science subjects. Variables considered were sex, age, group of study (arts or science), attitudes, intelligence (IQ), and personality. Results from 1240 students indicated that attitude to science was most important factor followed by IQ. (ML)

Five independent attitudes related to craft, design, and technology (CDT) are isolated by factor analysis. Rated liking for CDT, the intention to study continually, contemplation of a career based on it, verbal intelligence, mathematical ability, and technical skills of the family are also measured. Some sex differences are considered. (Author/YP)

Explores the possibility that the concept-mapping strategy could be a fruitful way of reducing the anxiety levels of students as well as helping to change their attitudes towards concepts. Concepts from the areas of ecology and genetics were given to pre-degree biology students. Experimental results confirmed the effect. (YP)

Students in their first weeks of secondary school were asked to select from a list those topics they would be interested in studying in science. Gender differences were found in that boys predominately selected topics with a mechanical connection, whereas girls predominantly selected topics related to human biology. (Author)

Investigates the effect of the exposure of a great scientist's life story represented in a manner either suggestive or not suggestive of the stereotype, and of sex difference on the image of scientist possessed by fifth graders. Reports two main effects and interaction effect from two-way analysis of variance. (YP)

The purpose of this study was to identify interest patterns related to high school biology. Eight task dimensions were established before testing. Findings include: the highest interest was in human biology topics and students whose parents' employment was science related showed higher interest in biology. (CW)

Evaluated is a course for twelfth graders to demonstrate a variety of aspects of applied science. The basic structure and content of the course are described. The evaluation results including achievement, interest/difficulty with other courses, lateral transfer, and attitudes are reported. Examples of problems and application questionnaire are…

Examines the point at which children develop negative attitudes toward science and whether the adoption of the National Curriculum in England and Wales has influenced student attitudes. Results indicate that although unpopular, students do not necessarily have negative attitudes toward science. Contains 32 references. (DDR)

Describes the development of a new measure of attitude towards science for use among secondary school pupils which operationalizes the affective attitudinal domain. Scale norms demonstrate that males record a more positive attitude towards science than females, and that younger pupils record a more positive attitude than older pupils. (Contains 78…

Examines science course selection by curriculum candidates (N=2178) for Northern Ireland GCE 0 level in 1980. Data are provided for nature (biology, chemistry, physics) and number of courses selected, and achievement (pass/failure rates). Data are also reported for males/females and type of school. (JN)

Argues that fostering early science interest could act as a stimulus for lasting interest, affecting numbers of students opting for secondary school science courses. Identifies problems in testing this argument by research, highlighting two areas: control of inter-school variables and need for a measure of quality of primary science itself. (JN)

Reported are two studies considering factors affecting students' attitudes to science by using television programs. Describes the results on students' attitudes by sex and grades. Hypothesized that the use of space programs and other fantastic aspects of science could improve the attitudes of children towards science. (Author/YP)