Engaging & RetainingYouth in STEM

Lessons from Canadian Research

Science Culture Indicators

• 51% – population aged 25-64 with tertiary education • 1st among OECD countries

• 93% – very/moderately interested in new scientific discoveries and technological developments

• 1st out of 33 countries

• 32% – visited a science and technology museum at least once in previous year

• 2nd out of 39 countries

• 30% – total employment in STEM occupations • 22nd out of 37 countries

Council of Canadian Academies - 2014

Science Achievement 15-year olds – 65 OECD countries

1. Shanghai - China 2. Hong Kong - China 3. Singapore 4. Japan 5. Finland 6. Estonia 7. South Korea 8. Viet Nam 9. Poland 10. Canada

OECD PISA 2012

Science/Engineering Graduates % of total new degrees

1. Luxembourg 2. South Korea 3. Finland 4. Germany 5. Greece 6. France 7. Austria 8. Sweden 9. Portugal 10. Czech Republic

11. Spain 12. Mexico 13. Estonia 14. Japan 15. United Kingdom 16. Italy 17. Ireland 18. Switzerland 19. Belgium 20. Canada

OECD 2010

“It is important for my country to lead the world in science.”

Lenovo 2011

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

India Mexico Russia USA Japan UK Canada

“I like science.”

StatsCan 2001

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 12

CHEM

BIO

PHYS

“I like science.”

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Age

13 14 15 16 17

Amgen/Let’s Talk Science 2014

“I am interested in science.”

Ipsos Reid/CFI 2010

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Age

12-13 14-16 17-18

“I am interested in science.”

Ipsos Reid/CFI 2010

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Age

12-13 14-16 17-18

Describing Science by Age

0%

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60%

80%

100%

Cool Fun Inspiring

12-13 14-16 17-18

Ipsos Reid/CFI 2010

Age:

Describing Science by Age

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Boring Difficult Complicated

12-13 14-16 17-18

Ipsos Reid/CFI 2010

Age:

Describing Science by Age

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Fun Boring

13 14 15 16 17

Amgen/Let’s Talk Science 2014

Age:

“I plan to pursue a STEM-related career.”

Lenovo 2011

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Mexico India Russia USA Canada UK Japan

Interest in post-secondary science “a lot” + “some”

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Age13 14 15 16 17

4756595759

Amgen/Let’s Talk Science 2014

Want to study in Grade 12

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Biology Chemistry Env't Science ICT Physics Math

322630242731

Amgen/Let’s Talk Science 2014

What makes a difference?• Students view science as fun,

inspiring, and important

• Age 12-13 / Middle School

• Effective teachers & informed parents

Ipsos Reid/CFI 2010 & Lenovo 2011

“Science is important.”

Ipsos Reid/CFI 2010

68% 12-18 year olds

“Science is more important than when my parents were in school.”

Amgen/Let’s Talk Science 2014

69% 13-17 year olds

Student Barriers

“My grades aren’t good enough.”

“STEM subjects are too hard.”

Poor knowledge of STEM education/career options & opportunities

Amgen/Let’s Talk Science 2014

Teacher Issues

• Curriculum • focus & overload

• Elementary (K-8) Teachers • STEM background • Fear & avoidance

• Secondary (9-12) Teachers • Inquiry/research background • Perceived role

Canadian teens

• Want to make a difference • 84% want to make a useful contribution • 79% want to help people • 70% want to solve problems

• World-class young scientists • Intel International Science & Engineering Fair • Google Science Fair

Amgen/Let’s Talk Science 2014

reni.barlow@why2wow.ca