Gender and physics (Updated)

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How confident were pupils about their ability to cope with physics courses?

Primary aged pupils were very positive about their ability to cope with science. Girls and boys enjoyed practical work equally and three quarters of them found the subject easy, although girls felt they were learning more.

There was a marked decline in both boys' and girls' feelings about their ability to cope with science on transfer to secondary school. Girls' feelings were more negative than boys and significantly fewer girls thought physics was 'my subject' (15% of girls compared to 33% of boys) although they enjoyed practical work significantly more (72% of girls compared to 51% of boys).

For those pupils who chose to study for Standard Grade physics (GCSE equivalent), there was little difference between boys' and girls' feelings about their ability to cope with physics. Around half of all pupils felt they were coping well and three quarters of them enjoyed practical work. There was a marked increase in boys' feelings of physics as being 'my subject' over the two year course (from 36% to 57%), but few girls felt physics was 'my subject' (24%). All pupils' beliefs, but particularly the girls', about whether they felt they were 'learning new skills' improved considerably.

As with the Standard Grade course, around half of all pupils on the Higher Grade course felt they were coping well. However, there was a sharp drop in both boys' and girls' beliefs about obtaining new skills and enjoyment of practical work.

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Research Home Themes \| Find digests \| About the digests resources glossary researchers contact TRIPS Introduction What were the researchers' aims? What attitudes did boys and girls of different ages have towards studying physics? How confident were pupils about their ability to cope with physics courses? How did pupils view carrying on with studying physics? What did boys and girls like and dislike about the content of physics courses? How was the study designed? What are the implications of the study for science teachers? Where can I find out more? Send us your feedback Collated digests To view/remove/add notes and save your collated digests click here Get Word Reader Gender and physics (Updated) This digest found in Gender Science Send to a friend Word doc 50KB Printer friendly Collate for later How confident were pupils about their ability to cope with physics courses? Primary aged pupils were very positive about their ability to cope with science. Girls and boys enjoyed practical work equally and three quarters of them found the subject easy, although girls felt they were learning more. There was a marked decline in both boys' and girls' feelings about their ability to cope with science on transfer to secondary school. Girls' feelings were more negative than boys and significantly fewer girls thought physics was 'my subject' (15% of girls compared to 33% of boys) although they enjoyed practical work significantly more (72% of girls compared to 51% of boys). For those pupils who chose to study for Standard Grade physics (GCSE equivalent), there was little difference between boys' and girls' feelings about their ability to cope with physics. Around half of all pupils felt they were coping well and three quarters of them enjoyed practical work. There was a marked increase in boys' feelings of physics as being 'my subject' over the two year course (from 36% to 57%), but few girls felt physics was 'my subject' (24%). All pupils' beliefs, but particularly the girls', about whether they felt they were 'learning new skills' improved considerably. As with the Standard Grade course, around half of all pupils on the Higher Grade course felt they were coping well. However, there was a sharp drop in both boys' and girls' beliefs about obtaining new skills and enjoyment of practical work.