Interest vs. skill: A comparison of career interest and science skill among high school students

Understanding of and appreciation for the sciences is increasingly important and society needs to insure that each generation of students have adequate science skill and interest. The purpose of this study is to compare quantified measurements of student skill and interest. Findings of this comparison show an even balance of interest in science and non-science careers - regardless of skill strengths -- among high school students from one northern Dallas, Texas school district. One significant exception to this finding showed that students with focused science skills strongly preferred science careers.