Wining Youth for Science and Technology – an Educational Challenge

Abstract

The present study was triggered by the alarming decline in the number of students interested in scientific or engineering professions evidenced in the past years in Romania and throughout Europe. At a time when a technical background becomes very important for succeeding in the envisaged knowledge based society, the downward tendency in enrolments in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) programs needs to be addressed by extensive studies (Lickl, E., 2007). This chapter is an overview of the career choice motivations and of the factors that can be beneficial for increasing the future highly qualified and innovative personnel in a dynamic economic competition. After a brief overview of the Romanian National Curriculum that establishes the educational background, it reports correlation analyses performed on the results of a quantitative and qualitative study, aiming to determine the motivating and deterring factors for the young generation in choosing a career in science or technology, pointing out various factors affecting the decision making regarding professions. As school has the most significant influence in framing one’s formation, the curriculum in secondary and high schools is linked and analyzed with respect to other important dimensions. This research was supported by the European Commission within the FP6 UPDATE project. Previous studies have revealed the existence of a "glass ceiling" that prevents women from attaining further education and certain positions, even if they are qualified (Etzkowitz, Kemelgor and Uzzi, 2002; Gotzfried A., 2004). European women researchers are underpinning the low-expenditure areas of RD McLoughlin, L. 2005). European Commission provides recommendations as to „how the talent pool of women could be employed more equitably and resourcefully” (EU Commission staff working document, 2005). These recommendations include attracting more girls to science and engineering to widen the recruitment base. Many reports (EU Commission staff working document, 2005; EU report, 2003) point out that SET becomes more and more a dedicated territory with sharp gender and age issues. Attracting and retaining qualified 3