Differences among Junior High Schools in Okinawa about Gender Differences in Perception and Interest for Science and Mathematics

Abstract

Differences in understanding and interest about scientific topics between male and female children may reflect the characteristics of the region and school to which they belong. However, due to the lack of available information on this topic, the discussion remains inconclusive. This study reports on the difference in the characteristics between genders about the perception of science and mathematics among junior high schools in Okinawa. A questionnaire survey on eight affective perceptions of science and mathematics was conducted among first-year junior high school students enrolled in five junior high schools and a special science education program of a university in Okinawa. The two main results were as follows: (1) Differences of levels between genders about the perception of science and mathematics was found among schools; (2) Across the eight items examined, the items in which bias was found varied across schools. These results indicate the need to design future gender education programs that are tailored to the characteristics of individual schools and communities.