The Chemistry option choice in Junior Lyceums

Abstract

Two questionnaires were developed for Chemistry students and for Non-Chemistry students. These were conducted on 175 Chemistry students (84 boys and 91 girls) and 194 Non-Chemistry students (92 boys and 102 girls) between October and November 2003. The aims of the study were to inquire on the process undergone by the students during their subject choice and to inquire on the attitudes towards Chemistry of different students from different subject orientations. The most consulted persons during the students' subject choice were their parents while students seem to be influenced by no one regarding their choice of subject. Students choosing Chemistry were more influenced by their Integrated Science mark in their subject choice than students who did not choose Chemistry. Chemistry was described as a difficult subject by the students while the most essential qualities needed in order to achieve in Chemistry were to study hard and to pay attention in class. The level of satisfaction with the Chemistry choice decreases from Form 3 to Form 5. The number of students who were dissatisfied with their choice corresponded to the number of students who would not choose Chemistry again and prefer to work in a job not related to Chemistry. Non-Chemistry students would not choose Chemistry if they were given the chance to choose again their subjects. 50% of the Chemistry population answered that they aspire for a medical career in the future. Most of the students (especially Chemistry students) inquired on the subject prior to their choice although a number of students (mainly Chemistry boys) did not get the necessary information. The most common way for the students to obtain information on the subject was through a meeting with the subject teacher.