School and College Science Provision for 16‐19 Year Old Students and the World of Work

Abstract

A survey has been conducted of science provision in schools and colleges of further education. 213 replies were received. The survey was intended to examine the amount of socio‐economic, technological and environmental aspects of science included in science courses for the 16‐19 age group. The survey also explored the attitudes of teachers and lecturers in these establishments and any differences in attitudes and provision between the two types of institutions. Findings indicate that the physical sciences curricula in the further education sector, may have a higher technological, social, environmental and economic content, than those in schools. However, lecturers in colleges of further education were a little more restrained in their attitude to the physical sciences as a means of teaching transferable skills.