ABSTRACT

The current study is premised on the expectation that the time university students spend on campus may represent the most substantial exposure they will have to science and scientists in their lifetime. Building on the cultivation theory, we examine whether exposure to science during undergraduate education – through a major in a natural science field or not – is associated with students’ science knowledge and attitudes towards science and scientists. In total, 1727 undergraduates from a Midwestern university completed the survey. Mean comparisons suggest small increases in science knowledge and perception of scientist’s competence along with a small decrease in reservations about science. Perceptions of scientists’ warmth appears to stay stable. Regression analyses with moderation reveal that some demographic factors are associated with science knowledge and attitudes, and some limited cases of possible moderation between student demographics and year of study. Implications for science communication and recruitment efforts in STEM colleges are discussed.

摘要

目前的研究是基于这样的预期，即大学生在校园里度过的时间可能是他们一生中接触科学和科学家最重要的时间。在培养理论的基础上，我们研究了在本科教育中接触科学——是否通过自然科学领域的专业——是否与学生的科学知识和对科学和科学家的态度有关。总共有 1727 名来自中西部大学的本科生完成了调查。平均比较表明，科学知识和对科学家能力的看法略有增加，而对科学的保留略有减少。科学家们对温暖的看法似乎保持稳定。适度的回归分析表明，一些人口统计因素与科学知识和态度有关，以及一些可能在学生人口统计和学习年份之间进行适度调整的有限案例。讨论了对 STEM 大学科学传播和招聘工作的影响。