Inspiring students to study science is apparently harder than it seems. While there are students at all levels that are intrigued by the wonder and mystery of science, getting students to consider it as a vocational field can be difficult. According to an article in The New York Times, studies have shown that upwards of 40 percent of students who start out in science-based fields eventually pick other fields or simply do not finish their degree. This worries educators and politicians who wish to maintain the science proficiency of America. Can anything be done, or will science continue to be a tough sell on college campuses?
Hard work
As noted in the article, one of the major issues is that science majors are scholastically difficult. In other words, students have to work hard if they are going to make the grade. For many college students who want to enjoy their formative years, the prospect of living in the library is not inviting. Obviously some students struggle with the cognitive ability to handle the material, but others find it difficult to put forth the effort.
Interests change
There is research indicating that other college majors may engage in more grade inflation. This is a tricky assumption, and the article acknowledges that this is a “subtle” problem. The assertion is that in the humanities and social sciences there is more room for creative outcomes, while the sciences are more rigid in terms of expectations. There is also the reality that college students are in a phase of their life where interests can change very quickly. Therefore, having an interest in science during high school does not mean that it will carry over to college.
Jobs, learning and the big picture
As someone who started in a science field and was unable to complete it, I understand what a first-year student experiences in terms of frustration. Educators and policy members may lament the decline in science students. However, when you’re a first-year student who is struggling with physics, chemistry and calculus, you aren’t exactly worried about the science competencies of your country as a whole.
In a consumer-oriented society, students are much more concerned about an enjoyable job that pays the bills than advancing the science prowess of the United States. Policy makers must always strive to look at science education through the lens of the inexperienced first-year student.
The author teaches at the college level and prior to entering the classroom he spent many years in higher education administration. On occasion he also enjoys the pure entertainment of substitute teaching at the high school and middle school levels.