Learning to Love Science: Harnessing children's scientific imagination

Studying science opens up a world of possibilities and scientists play a vital role in the UK society and economy. Yet fewer students are opting to study physical and chemical sciences post-16. This report explores school students' attitudes to science to establish why many disengage with the subject and what can be done to reverse this trend. It examines when and why pupils “switch off” from science and the extent to which the UK is missing out on a potential pool of scientists as a result.
 
The report builds on the wealth of previous research in this area and includes new, previously unpublished, research commissioned by Shell Education Service and conducted by specialist youth research company, Dubit. During the summer term, 2008, a poll of 4,000 children aged 9-14 was carried out by Dubit and 27 interviews with students, teachers, graduates and employers were conducted by the Chemical Industry Education Centre at the University of York.
 
This report captures this work to bring fresh perspective on one of the biggest educational challenges facing the UK today.