A Study of the Factors Affecting Perception of Science, Engineering and Technology (set) in Young People

1 Brian Canavan, University of Glasgow, Robert Clark Centre for Technological Education, 66 Oakfield Avenue, Glasgow [email protected] 2 Jane Magill, University of Glasgow, Robert Clark Centre for Technological Education, 66 Oakfield Avenue, Glasgow [email protected] 3 David Love, University of Glasgow, Robert Clark Centre for Technological Education, 66 Oakfield Avenue, Glasgow [email protected] Abstract  This paper intends to present results from a study of young people’s perceptions of science, engineering and technology (SET) and the influence of outreach activities. The poor uptake of SET subjects has long been considered a problem in Britain and many outreach initiatives exist to encourage an improvement in this area. At the University of Glasgow we are carrying out a long-term study of young people’s perceptions of SET and the role of outreach initiatives in promoting it. The initial results of the study illustrate quite dramatically, that there are marked differences between pupil’s enjoyment of SET subjects and their perceptions of these subjects for future careers. These differences are particularly stark in the case of girls where, even at age 10 or 11, the percentage considering a career in SET already lags behind boys by a large margin. Our research also suggests that it is not sufficient to offer exciting SET outreach activities and that a much deeper understanding of perceptions of SET subjects is required. It is the intention of our long-term project to address this issue and to make recommendations for those involved in the development of SET education.