Prepared by the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) of the University of California, Los Angeles, the study has implications for science teaching at all levels, according to scientists and educators. But, they say, the study also suggests a potential problem for science generally. The proportion of science-literate citizens in society may shrink in the future, they say, perhaps translating into reduced understanding of and support for science among the voting public.
"The overall decline in interest in science is much higher than it is in other fields," says Eric Dey, associate director of HERI.
Investigators Alexander Astin and Helen Astin, director and associate director of HERI, respectively, followed approximately 25,000 students at 177 institutions through their four-year undergraduate careers. Faculty surveys and case studies augment their research, which was funded by the National Science Foundation.
One important factor affecting college science careers is the quality of precollege SME preparation: The ...
