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Is science still attractive to students?. Maija Bundule Ministry of Education and Science Latvia. Change of the number of students in Latvia (1990-2003). Proportion of women in different educational fields (%). Age structure of researchers in Latvia.
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Is science still attractive to students? Maija Bundule Ministry of Education and Science Latvia
Survey oflast year grammar school students • Aims of the survey • General interests of students • Prestige of different professions • Intention to study in university • Attitude to science • At present only ingrammar schools in Riga • Boys and girls ratio – 48%: 52% • Survey will be continued in other cities as well as in rural areas
General interests • For girls: • Culture • Sports • Politics • For boys • Sports • science and technology • Economy and finances
The most prestigious professions • For girls: • Doctor • Scientist • Judge • For boys; • Entrepreneur • Scientist as well as engineer
Attitude towards science and research • Both boys ( 85%) and girls (71%) • had a positive attitude towards science • were sure that science contributes to progress and economical development • our government should support scientific investigations at much greater extent
Survey of students in the University of Latvia • Aims: • Students opinion about science and research in Latvia • Intent to create an academic career • Interest to be involved actively in research projects • Received 954 inputs: 684 from female students and 270
Concluding remarks for grammar school students • Still the image of science is high • Attitude regarding the scientists’ career differs between boys and girls – boys are more interested in research • In grammar schools predominantly there is a positive attitude towards science • Needed more and wider information about science, researchers and their results in order to motivate students get more interested in scientific career
Concluding remarks for students from the University of Latvia • There is a great interest about research work, doctoral studies and academic career, • This interest should be supported and encouraged
Many THANKS for cooperation to • Assoc.prof. Ausma Cimdiņa • Dr. philol. Ilze Trapenciere • Mg. Ingrīda Kalviņa • Bc. Solvita Kostjukova • Mg. Dace Rambaka