Nearly half of Finnish youngsters have considered career in science
Larger percentage would accept researcher as spouse
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A recent survey of Finnish schoolchildren indicates that the idea of a career in scientific research is seen as a potential option by many Finnish school pupils. An even larger number would be open to the idea of having a husband or wife who is a researcher.
The study by Tieteen tiedotus, an association dedicated to disseminating information on science, focused on two age groups - those in the 8th grade of comprehensive school, and those in the second year of senior high school or vocational school.
The on-line poll was aimed at ascertaining views of young people on science and research. It was carried out by the Centre for Educational Assessment in 2005 - 2006.
A total of nearly 7,500 young people visited the website, most of whom - about 6,000 - were at the comprehensive school level.
Of all respondents, just under half said that they had considered scientific research as a career. Among those in senior high school, the figure was over 50 per cent. Boys were more interested than girls in research work.
More than 80 per cent of senior high school pupils said that they could imagine having a spouse who is a researcher.
About half of the comprehensive school and vocational school pupils in the survey felt the same way.
Some respondents were also wary of marrying a scientist: "I wouldn’t really want to have a husband who was a scientist, because then he would have to have a science room, and then he would constantly be getting all kinds of brilliant ideas, and would leave, and wouldn’t have any time for me."
There was also a general view that a spouse should not "look like a nerd".
There were many varying opinions of what a scientist is like. Many felt that they were hermits of sorts. "In my opinion, researchers are intelligent, even though they are too often labelled as office rats."
The researchers who conducted the survey concluded that children and young people tend to have a good knowledge of science.
On the other hand, the stereotype of science as being experimentation by ageing men in white coats also loomed powerfully in the minds of the school pupils.
Some responses indicated that much needs to be done in popularising science:
"Science is something that is interesting, and too difficult to understand."
"Boring stuff that I will never understand."
Helsingin Sanomat
