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Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. Planning Early for Careers in Science. Robert H. Tai Assistant Professor of Science Education September 22, 2006. Rising Above the Gathering Storm.
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Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia Planning Early for Careers in Science Robert H. Tai Assistant Professor of Science Education September 22, 2006
Rising Above the Gathering Storm National Research Council Report raises questions about the Unites States continuing to maintain its dominance as a world leader in science and technology
What role does K-8 education have on national science education policy? Preparing the scientists of the future
What kind of work do you expect to be doing when you are 30 years old? (MARK THE ANSWER THAT COMES CLOSEST TO WHAT YOU EXPECT TO BE DOING. IF YOU HAVE TWO OR THREE THINGS YOU THINK YOU MAY BE DOING, DO NOT CHOOSE MORE THAN ONE ANSWER. INSTEAD, MAKE ONE BEST GUESS.) What do you want to be when you grow up?
How important are students’ answers to this question?How early in their lives do their answers have a lasting impact?
Collect a nationally representative sample of thousands of students
Follow these students from middle school through college, allowing a reasonable amount of time to earn college degrees
Account for students academic and personal backgrounds including their parents’ backgrounds
In the Life Sciences … Standardized mathematics achievement scores in 8th grade are NOT significant predictors of college degree concentrations in science
In the Physical Sciences … Standardized mathematics achievement scores in 8th grade ARE significant predictors of college degree concentrations in science, but … Average achievers are more likely to earn degrees in physical science than the highest achievers when 8th grade career expectations are considered With average achievement With above average achievement With highest achievement
Conclusions • Students’ future career aspirations in 8th grade are a significant predictor of their likelihood to earn baccalaureate degrees in science-related fields • Academic achievement is NOT as consistently significant as 8th grade career aspirations in predicting science – related college degree concentrations