What are the biggest challenges that students might face in their future that science education should prepare them for?
As the world continues to address the global Covid pandemic and the many scientific challenges that brings, teachers were relatively united when it came to identifying the biggest challenges that students might face in their future.
Around a quarter of all respondents cited climate change, reflecting the pervasiveness of the issue throughout the tumult of the past year or so and the relevance of their subject to addressing the threat to the natural environment.
Interestingly, fake news was the second most widely cited challenge that students are likely to face in their future. This issue is gaining extra attention in response to the Covid pandemic. Respondents felt that it has never been easier for individuals to spread fake news, and never harder to distinguish what is scientific fact from what is fake. Critical thinking is a key skill for learners in this environment.
The pace of change, both in terms of technological advancement as well as more general societal change, was also felt to be a significant challenge that students will have to face. Technology was a common thread throughout the responses to this question, citing data analysis, the fourth industrial revolution, AI, and technology in the workforce as future challenges.
Bonnie Schmidt, President and Founder, Let’s Talk Science, comments: “Science education for the future must evolve (or transform), to focus more on building the abilities and desire of all youth to contribute in meaningful ways through work and citizenship opportunities in our fragile world.”
25%
cited climate change as the biggest challenge in the future of science education
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