A Long-Term Impact on Attitudes Towards Science After Five Years of a STEM Intervention

There is a longstanding research discussion on how important the introduction of science and modern Physics is, as early as in primary school, and how crucial this is for attitudes toward science. Early experiences affect later decisions in high school subjects and life, concerning professional pathways. At the same time, there is a global concern about students’ low expectations that prevent them from STEM careers. PISA reports keep underlining the importance of science and confirming that teenage students lack the motivation and confidence to choose a science-related future. In 2017, a study of a STEM teaching intervention in a Greek upper primary school (K-6) was conducted. In 2022, the teenage participants of that study (aged 17) were invited to attend a focus group discussion to evaluate the impact that the experience had on their school or professional aspirations, five years after the initial intervention. The outcomes of the discussion indicate a very positive impression and memory of it and also revealed other issues of middle school science lessons and attitudes towards science.