Japanese high school students' perceptions of science and scientists

Japan, a country dependent on science and technology for economic gains, is faced with a shrinking workforce in science-related fields due to an aging population, reduced interest in science and falling enrolments in university science courses. There is a growing need to increase young people's involvement in science and to encourage them to follow a science -related career path.

Students' perceptions of science and scientists are said to influence their choices regarding study and career paths. This study investigated the perceptions of science and scientists held by Japanese year ten high school students. Four hundred and four students answered questions on their opinions of science, scientists and themselves, as well as their school science results, and their intention to enrol in a university science course and follow a science -related career. Students also completed the Draw-A-Scientist Test (DAST) to identify the presence of "stereotypical" images of scientists.

The results indicated that students felt science is somewhat difficult, but also slightly exciting, practical, good, constructive, and somewhat useful. Students also felt that scientists are very intelligent, somewhat imaginative and diligent, slightly moral and open-minded, but also slightly selfish and somewhat introverted.

The so-called stereotypical image of a scientist, found to be present among students of various countries, ages and backgrounds, was also present among the students in this study.

The study also found that there are differences in how students perceive science and scientists, depending on the student's gender, school, and whether or not they imagine their own character to be similar to, or different from that of a scientist. Most notably, the likelihood of a student pursuing science at university or as a career is strongly dependent on the student's gender, with far more males than females showing a desire to be involved in science.