North Shore News – Kathy Lynn
“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…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.”(more)