Eyeballs in the Fridge

Sources of early interest in science

Datos Bibliográficos

ID23329147
AutoresAdam V Maltese (0000-0001-8422-9395, a Indiana University , USA, autor de correspondencia), Robert H Tai (0000-0002-2804-2822, b University of Virginia , USA)
Año2010
Volumen32
Número5
Páginas669-685
Fecha de publicación2010-03-15
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Science Education, Part B (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2154-8455 • E-ISSN: 2154-8463
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09500690902792385
OpenAlexW2118244798
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas117
Referencias citadas16

This paper examines the experiences reported by scientists and graduate students regarding the experiences that first engaged them in science. The interviews analysed for this paper come from Project Crossover, a mixed‐methods study of the transition from graduate student to PhD scientist in the fields of chemistry and physics. This analysis involved review of 116 interviews collected from graduate students and scientists and focused on the timing, source, and nature of their earliest interest in science. The majority (65%) of participants reported that their interest in science began before middle school. Females were more likely to report that their interest was sparked by school‐related activities, while most males recounted self‐initiated activities. Our findings indicate that current policy efforts (which focus on high school science reform) to increase the numbers of students studying in the science fields, may be misguided.

Graduate students · Mathematics education · Pedagogy · Science education · Sociology · Career Development and Diversity · Psychology · Science Education and Pedagogy · Science Education and Perceptions