Science is fun according to almost three quarters of Canadian youth. Youth today also recognize that studying science will offer them a range of different career options.
Let’s face it, in this day and age of technological changes science is going to be increasingly important on the job scene.
Spotlight on Science Learning: Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce, a new research report released recently by Let’s Talk Science, and made possible by Amgen Canada, looks at just this.
When it comes to thinking about their futures, interests are extremely important, with 86 per cent of youth saying that their interests drive decisions about education and career aspirations. What’s more telling is that youth are motivated by their values and want jobs that use higher order skills like making a useful contribution to society (84 per cent), making decisions (75 per cent) and solving problems (70 per cent) – the exact skills that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning fosters.
So, why aren’t kids lining up at the door to be involved in STEM careers?
According to the study, teens place a priority on careers that allow them to make a contribution (84 per cent) help people (79 per cent), make decisions (75 per cent) and solve problems (70 per cent).
What they don’t see is how STEM careers can meet his criteria.
They are also unlikely to take the prerequisites (i.e. optional biology, math, physics and chemistry courses) to study sciences at the post secondary level.
They’re worried that their grades won’t be good enough and that these subjects are too hard.
In fact, when it comes to taking optional courses during their final year of high school, only one-quarter to one-third of students really want to study environmental sciences (24 per cent), physics (26 per cent), chemistry (27 per cent), Information and Communication Technology (ICT) (30 per cent), biology (31 per cent) or math (32 per cent).
Whether kids are planning on going to University, college, polytechnical school or apprenticeship, having taken science courses will benefit them.
But they don’t see that. They see tough courses, hard work and the possibility that they will have lower grades that will inhibit their ability to get into the post-secondary institution of their choice.
Rather than look at their wishes for their careers, they are looking at how to maximize their marks.
Parents can help by explaining the range of STEM jobs that fit the student’s values. Get online with them and do some googling.
Then take a look at your friends. Parents often forget that they have friends, relatives and colleagues who can help their kids explore career options. Almost any adult (and certainly any that are your friend) is happy to give a student a 10-minute information interview. It’s a great experience for your teen. He will learn how to get himself to a business office, how to dress for an interview and he will learn what happens in these downtown offices. In some cases the interviewer might send your teen off to talk to other folks in the industry. If he’s really lucky he may have the chance to talk to people who work in labs or on construction sites. The range of possibilities for STEM related careers is large.
Many students and their parents have the misconception that for any STEM career you need a university degree. While that’s true in many cases there are other STEM-related careers that call for a college certificate or diploma.
Most children experience science as fun when they are little. Whether it’s crouching over a puddle watching the water move, building with wooden blocks or visiting Science World, it is part of their regular experience.
The trick for parents is to continue exposing their kids to STEM activities whenever there is an opportunity. You will be benefiting your child.
Kathy Lynn is a parenting expert who is a professional speaker and author of Vive la Différence, Who’s In Charge Anyway? andBut Nobody Told Me I’d Ever Have to Leave Home. If you want to read more, sign up for her informational newsletter at parentingtoday.ca.
