An Analysis of Adolescents' Science Interest and Competence in Programs with and without a Competitive Component

Autor/inn/en	Fox, Janet; Cater, Melissa
Titel	An Analysis of Adolescents' Science Interest and Competence in Programs with and without a Competitive Component
Quelle	In: Journal of Agricultural Education, 56 (2015) 4, S.90-106 (17 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1042-0541
Schlagwörter	Science Interests; Middle School Students; High School Students; Competence; Self Esteem; Gender Differences; Scores; Competition; Youth Programs; Occupational Aspiration; STEM Education; Surveys; Statistical Analysis; Summer Programs; Likert Scales; Louisiana + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Middle school; Middle schools; Student; Students; Mittelschule; Mittelstufenschule; Schüler; Schülerin; High school; High schools; Oberschule; Studentin; Kompetenz; Self-esteem; Selbstaufmerksamkeit; Geschlechterkonflikt; Wettkampf; Jugendsofortprogramm; Berufsneigung; Berufsziel; STEM; Survey; Umfrage; Befragung; Statistische Analyse; Sommerkurs; Likert-Skala
Abstract	The exploratory study examined science interest and perceived science competency in middle and high school youth (N=116) who took part in science-related contests (n=49) and non-competitive special interest science programs (n=67). Study participants were dispersed between females (48.3%) and males (51.7%). Three-fourths (75.1%) of the participants belonged to the racial category, white. The majority of youth attracted to science-related professions selected medicine and science and engineering as the top choices. Both science interest and science competence were high among youth in the study. Analysis of science competency indicated a statistically significant difference between girls and boys, with girls scoring higher than boys. The difference in scores between youth participating in competitive programs and non-competitive programs was also statistically significant. As a result of this study, it is recommended that high-quality, cutting edge, hands-on programs are offered to youth in both middle school and high school that emphasize science and provide opportunities for self-challenge as well as challenge against others. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	American Association for Agricultural Education. P.O. Box 7607, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, Raleigh, NC 27695. Web site: http://www.aaaeonline.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01