Four in 10 transition-year students in a poll claimed they probably or definitely would consider a career in science and technology, with more boys than girls being interested. The results of a Deloitte & Touche national survey on attitudes to science and technology in association with Forfas were launched by the Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Treacy yesterday.
The poll also showed there was an almost 50 per cent increase in interest towards science and technology among senior management over the past two years. They believed that only by applying the most modern technology could the economy become more competitive.
Mr Colm Regan, Forfas executive director, said changes had taken place in attitudes over the five years that the science, technology and innovation awareness programme had been running.
Evidence suggested that about four in 10 transition-year students claimed they probably or definitely would consider a career in science and technology. Interest was higher among young men than young women.
However, among young people the proportion of first-preference CAO applications for sciences had fallen from 11.5 per cent in 1996 to 9.6 percent in 1999.
In technology, the figure had risen from 20.6 per cent in 1996 to 25.7 per cent in 1999, which was encouraging, Mr Regan said.
Awareness of science and technology was still at somewhat lower levels among schoolgirls, people who lived in rural areas and older people.
Perceptions of how well the public felt informed about scientific developments increased slightly from 1998 to 2000. For example, only 4 per cent in 1998 felt they were very well informed compared to 8 per cent in 2000. In 1998, 30 per cent felt they were fairly well informed, compared to 33 per cent in 2000.
The survey also revealed the mostly highly respected professionals in Ireland were doctors, followed by scientists, engineers, dentists and accountants. Journalists, teachers and lawyers tended to be held in low esteem.