Interest, attitudes and images related to science: Combining students' voices with the voices of school Science, teachers, and popular science

Abstract

During the last decades students' science-related interests, attitudes, and images of science and scientists, and their differentiations according to gender, culture, and socio-economic status have been investigated by a multitude of research studies. These aspects of students' voices seem to be interrelated and to also affect students' achievement in science and their relevant study and career aspirations. Moreover, school science and teachers, as well as popular science are considered as factors determining students' voices. This paper attempts a mapping of relevant literature in order to highlight crucial outcomes and draw educational and research implications. It is suggested that a comprehensive and integrated investigation of the voices of students, of school science and teachers', and of popular science is required in order to make informed, research-based decisions on designing school science curricula and teaching. © 2011 IJESE.