Jennifer Wallace, a research and policy assistant at Children in Scotland carrying out a research project examining children's participation in science, said, 'Our early findings indicate that the opinions and attitudes of children towards science are formed at an early age. While younger children see scientists as a group of people interested in the world around them, older children tend to view scientists as boring and anti-social.' She pointed out that Scottish Executive statistics suggest that children's performance at science becomes poorer as they grow older, with a higher proportion of primary school pupils reaching target levels than those at senior school. Children in Scotland maintains that children need to be engaged in scientific activity at an early age through both education and out-of-school clubs, to dispel stereotypes before they are formed.
Ms Wallace said, 'Early years educators and out-of-school provision have an important role to play in harnessing children's enthusiasm and natural curiosity in science and the world around them. Young children don't tend to connect nature with science. Science is to do with chemistry and other "dull" stuff.
'But making science fun for young children and introducing them early to experiments would go some way to overcoming the stereotypes. More resources, such as science kits, would help.'
The preliminary findings of the study will be unveiled in greater detail at a conference in Edinburgh on 26 and 27 February 2001, organised by Children in Scotland in association with the University of Edinburgh, Shell UK Exploration and Production and the Scottish Exeutive Education Department. The conference, entitled 'Why is the sky blue? Exploring children's participation in science', will hear from children and young people as well as policy experts and scientists. Details are available from Alison Rowan, Children in Scotland, 5 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh EH2 2RG (tel 0131 228 8484 or e-mail arowan@childreninscotland.org.uk)
