Abstract:
Pre-recorded presentation link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hW2Qm1YjwA Our twenty-first-century global civilization is heavily dependent on science and technology. The general population is routinely involved in decision making pertaining to science related issues – either on a personal level (i.e. should I eat more vegetables, should I buy an electric car, should I vaccinated my children) or on a broader level (by electing or supporting politicians who determine science related policies at a community or national level). Yet scientific literacy among the general population all over the world is still unacceptably low. Secondary schools can, and should, play a major role in developing scientifically literate future citizens. However, there has been little or no research done on how effective the secondary education system actually has been in achieving this goal by the time a student has completed his or her secondary years of schooling around the age of 18. There is little or no quantitative data regarding the state of scientific literacy among senior secondary school students. Our research will attempt to address some of the substantial gap in knowledge that exits in this field of study. The paper presented at the conference will describe the methodology for this research project. In brief, surveys will be conducted to quantitatively measure scientific literacy levels among senior secondary school students in the Northern Territory of Australia. The methodology for this research can be replicated in secondary schools around the world to measure the level of scientific literacy among senior secondary school students.