Western Australian school students' understanding of biotechnology

Authors: Dawson V.1; Schibeci R.2

Source: International Journal of Science Education, Volume 25, Number 1, 1 January 2003 , pp. 57-69(13)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

Are science educators providing secondary school students with the background to understand the science behind recent controversies such as the recently introduced compulsory labelling of genetically modified foods? Research from the UK suggests that many secondary school students do not understand the processes or implications of modern biotechnology. The situation in Australia is unclear. In this study, 1116 15-year-old students from eleven Western Australian schools were surveyed to determine their understanding of, and attitude towards, recent advances in modern biotechnology. The results indicate that approximately one third of students have little or no understanding of biotechnology. Many students over-estimate the use of biotechnology in our society by confusing current uses with possible future applications. The results provide a rationale for the inclusion of biotechnology, a cutting edge science, in the school science curriculum

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Edith Cowan University, 2 Bradford Street, Mt. Lawley, 6050 Western Australia, Australia' e-mail: vdawson@ecu.edu.au 2: Murdoch University, South St., Murdoch, 6150 Western Australia, Australia

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