Gender differences among students undertaking iSTEM projects in multidisciplinary vs unidisciplinary STEM classrooms in government vs nongovermnment schools: Classroom emotional climate and attitudes

In response to the leaky STEM pipeline, particularly for girls, many schools have introduced integrated STEM (iSTEM) programs to enable students to solve problems using skills from each STEM area and hopefully enhance their interest in continuing with STEM subjects in senior-high school and university. We investigated whether gender differences in students’ perceptions of classroom emotional climate and attitudes to STEM depend on whether students are undertaking iSTEM projects as part of a multidisciplinary curriculum (S, T, E and M) or unidisciplinary curriculum (S, T, E or M) and also whether they attend a government or nongovernment coeducational school. The sample consisted of 256 students in 24 coeducational grade 7–9 classes in 8 government schools and 157 students in 12 coeducational grade 7–10 classes in 6 nongovernment schools. Whereas boys were significantly more positive than girls in perceptions of clarity, motivation, consolidation and attitudes to iSTEM in coeducational government schools, there were no significant gender differences in coeducational nongovernment schools. Students of both genders in government schools were significantly more positive about all aspects of classroom emotional climate and attitudes than students of both genders in nongovernment schools, even after controlling for socioeconomic status. Also, females were slightly more positive about classroom emotional climate and in their attitudes in multidisciplinary STEM classes in government schools. This study suggests that multidisciplinary STEM classes could motivate girls to pursue STEM subjects in senior-high school and at university.

     

Meeting the Needs of Pupils who are 'Looked After'

Schools should never become complacent about the quality of care they offer their pupils. The situation described by Felicity Fletcher-Campbell illustrates the need for careful review of how the needs of every group of pupils in a school are met. A small minority of pupils are 'looked after' by the local authority. Their educational experiences are frequently as negative and traumatic as their domestic experiences. Drawing on research recently completed by the National Foundation for Educational Research, this article describes ways in which schools can support pupils who are in the care system.     

Issues of inclusion

Abstract

This article represents a meta-analysis of three research KEYWORDS projects undertaken recently at the National Foundation for Educational children in Research. The projects were discrete but resultant data showed that they care; had a common focus: ways in which schools do or might accommo-disaffection; date more effectively the needs of a range of pupils who are at risk of inclusion; being denied the opportunity to experience the ‘normality’ of the cur-special riculum offered by schools in England and Wales. The pupils whose educational experiences were studied had special educational needs, and/or were needs ‘disaffected’, and/or were in the public care. While their circumstances were, thus, ostensibly various, analysis showed that they were underpinned by a common set of needs which, unaddressed by the education system, resulted in the exclusion of the pupils. Strategies that effectively nurtured pupils’ inclusion were found to be applicable across the client group.     

A Research-based Community Theater Performance to Promote Ageing: Is it More than Just a Show?

Research-based community theater can address important life issues in a safe and entertaining environment. This study investigated using a theater performance about widowhood as a medium for facilitating older people's engagement with key life events and countering negative stereotypes. Quantitative questions incorporating semistructured qualitative sections were conducted with 29 older people from a group of 250 audience members who attended the performance. The majority of participants found the performance true to life, enjoyable, of high quality, and a useful learning tool. This study illustrates the potential for wider application of research-based community theater for promoting healthy ageing in older adults.     

R. S. Peters: The reasonableness of ethics

Abstract

This article will begin by examining the extent to which R. S. Peters merited the charge of analytic philosopher. His background in social psychology allowed him to become more pragmatic and grounded in social conventions and ordinary language than the analytic philosophers associated with empiricism, and his gradual shift from requiring internal consistency to developing a notion of ‘reasonableness’, in which reason could be tied to passion, grounded him in an idiosyncratic notion of ethics which included compassion and virtue as well as reason. I describe his position on ethics as a systemic one of principled pragmatism.