Five ‘Types’ of Science Participation

Abstract

Participation is defined as ‘the action of taking part in something’ (Oxford Dictionaries, 2010), which can refer to how individuals become involved in something or with someone, such as science or being a scientist. Most young people participate in science, in one way or another. Many will encounter science in school, whilst others might continue outside of school, at home or through informal science learning environments (ISLEs). According to the Wellcome Trust Monitor Wave 2 (Wellcome Trust, 2013), which interviewed 460 British young people aged 14–18, more than half (57 per cent) of youths had visited least one ISLE in the past year, with zoos/aquaria the most popular, followed by science museums and nature reserves.