Promoting science and motivating students in the 21st century Teach article

Marilyn Brodie from the Centre for Science Education, UK, describes two projects to involve the scientific research community in schools and raise enthusiasm for science among students.

When science is taught out of context and seems irrelevant to their lives, many students lose interest. And if a student’s own motivation is disregarded, even the most careful preparation on the part of the teacher will be wasted. It is crucial, therefore, to highlight the importance of science and its relevance to students’ lives. Students also need more positive and realistic demonstrations of the scope and limitations of science and scientists. Both of these challenges can be addressed by mobilising the scientific and engineering research community.

Some underpinning research

The UK has a long tradition of educating and training scientists, engineers and mathematicians who have contributed greatly to the economic stability of the nation. However, even though more young people are entering higher education, fewer students are choosing mathematics, physics and chemistry (HESA, 2005), resulting in a skills shortage. The key to reversing this trend is to inspire and enthuse young people in science and engineering throughout their school education. Mathematics and the physical sciences, however, lack positive role models and effective careers advice for aspiring students (Roberts, 2002; Rasekoala, 2001).

A survey of 50 schools across the UK showed that although most students enjoyed learning science at school, few wanted to study science after school (Bevins et al., 2005). Physics in particular was seen as complex and difficult.

“[Physics] is too hard. There are too many laws and stuff. It doesn’t really matter anyway. I will never need that type of stuff when I start work. You only need to know it if you want to do physics as a job.”
13-year-old student

Students recognised that access to practising scientists and engineers would increase their interest and enthusiasm, as well as provide valuable information on careers and studies. They also felt that an expert in the classroom would help to put the subject into context and make classroom activities more exciting.

“When we’re doing things like gases, if an expert is in school to help us they could show us why we use gases and how they use them in their jobs – that would make [the concept] really interesting.”
14-year-old student

“It would be good to ask them questions about their jobs and find out what they do, how they do it and how they learned to do it – how much they get paid.”
13-year-old student

Students also suggested that school visits by professionals and to their workplaces would help them to learn about and understand specific professions.

“It would be good to visit a university to see what they do. It would be exciting.”
12-year-old student

Both the Researchers in Residence project and the Express Yourself conferences expose students to practising scientists and engineers, developing the students’ images of scientists and engineers, as well as of the fields of science and engineering.

Researchers in Residence

Researchers in Residence is a project to bring some of the most creative research talents in the UK into secondary schools. The chosen researchers are fiercely passionate about their subject and their enthusiasm can ignite a fresh interest for science among young people.

PhD students and post-doctoral researchers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics volunteer to spend four to five days in secondary schools. They may give classroom support or presentations, arrange visits or attend field trips. After the initial placement, many researchers continue their involvement with the schools (Brodie & Hudson, 1995).

Among the reasons given by researchers for their involvement are the opportunities to: act as a positive role model (~40% are female); demystify research; improve the image of scientists; and pass on enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Furthermore, the researchers may benefit by improving their communication skills, investigating the world of education and teaching, enhancing their CV – or simply by taking a break from their normal routine.

“Working with school children and knowing that there is a lot of upcoming talent”

“I think the programme is a welcome return to the ‘real world’ and helps put research in perspective. You have a different view of your thesis topic once you have had to explain it to young people and relate it to the subjects studied and skills learned at secondary school.”
Two PhD students

The project is funded by the Research Councils UK and the Wellcome Trust, and managed by the Centre for Science Education (see box). Since it began in 1995, the Researchers in Residence project has recruited, trained and placed around 3500 researchers in over 2000 schools, working with about 2000 teachers and 300 000 students.

Express Yourself conferences

Celebrating science and the achievements of school students not only helps to promote science but also can be highly motivating for the students involved.
The Express Yourself conferences are linked to the Researchers in Residence project. Hosted by research scientists, these conferences give school students a forum in which to present the findings of their own science investigations. The conferences are run similarly to real research conferences, with opportunities for students to:

• Communicate and share their ideas with other students, teachers and researchers
• Present research papers in seminars chaired by researchers in residence
• Present and host displays of their investigations
• Participate in other activities, such as discussing their work with experienced researchers, attending keynote lectures and demonstrations, and participating in practical workshops.

Summary

Science teachers and the scientific community have an important role in promoting science and raising its profile with young people, particularly by increasing student participation, motivation and success. This can be encouraged by mobilising professional scientists and engineers to support school science and by celebrating students’ achievements in science.

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