Student Interest in Science

The purpose of science education is not exclusivelythe production of new scientists. It is also thedevelopment of scientifically literate minds with thecapacity to understand issues of increasingimportance and complexity within a global society.These dual purposes of science education are notwell-served when educators ignore the abundantevidence that students are becoming less interestedin science and overlook those factors that influencestudents' attitudes toward science.This book examines the psychological constructs ofinterest in science classrooms. Of particularemphasis is how student attitudes toward science arealtered through the use of different pedagogicalapproaches. This analysis is framed by research inthe field of interest and examines factors thatenhance student interest. Useful to both educatorsand communicators of science, this examinationidentifies effective ways of increasing interest inscience as well as practical strategies associatedwith greater ease of science learning and scienceachievement.