Social Inequality in Chinese Students' Science Engagement during COVID-19: Science Capital and Beyond

TY - CONF

T1 - Social Inequality in Chinese Students' Science Engagement during COVID-19: Science Capital and Beyond

AU - Cao, Catherine

PY - 2023/7/6

Y1 - 2023/7/6

N2 - China was the first country to report the SARS-CoV-2 virus to the World Health Organization (WHO) and implemented stringent lockdown measures to combat the pandemic. The studies conducted in China on secondary education during the COVID-19 pandemic focus on online teaching methods, teacher competence, and student well-being. These studies have revealed major challenges in teaching science during the pandemic, such as the shortage of online resources, particularly for rural students. Nevertheless, some studies have discovered new opportunities for science education and an increase in students' interest in pursuing a science career. The impact of the pandemic on Chinese students' engagement with science remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on Chinese students' engagement with science and their aspirations towards science or medical careers. Data were collected with a survey covering 802 middle school students, and 23 semi-structured interviews with students, parents, and teachers from eastern China. The study employed the concept of science capital and a Bourdieusian framework to understand the change in students' engagement with science during the pandemic. The results indicate that a majority of students remained engaged with science during COVID-19 and have a stronger desire for medical or scientific careers compared to before the pandemic. The findings also showed disparities in science engagement and aspirations based on region and gender, with urban students and girls displaying higher levels of engagement and aspirations. The results suggest that science capital is positively linked to students' willingness to engage with science and their aspirations towards science careers during the pandemic. This study provides important implications for policymakers and educators to enhance science engagement and career aspirations for Chinese students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

AB - China was the first country to report the SARS-CoV-2 virus to the World Health Organization (WHO) and implemented stringent lockdown measures to combat the pandemic. The studies conducted in China on secondary education during the COVID-19 pandemic focus on online teaching methods, teacher competence, and student well-being. These studies have revealed major challenges in teaching science during the pandemic, such as the shortage of online resources, particularly for rural students. Nevertheless, some studies have discovered new opportunities for science education and an increase in students' interest in pursuing a science career. The impact of the pandemic on Chinese students' engagement with science remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on Chinese students' engagement with science and their aspirations towards science or medical careers. Data were collected with a survey covering 802 middle school students, and 23 semi-structured interviews with students, parents, and teachers from eastern China. The study employed the concept of science capital and a Bourdieusian framework to understand the change in students' engagement with science during the pandemic. The results indicate that a majority of students remained engaged with science during COVID-19 and have a stronger desire for medical or scientific careers compared to before the pandemic. The findings also showed disparities in science engagement and aspirations based on region and gender, with urban students and girls displaying higher levels of engagement and aspirations. The results suggest that science capital is positively linked to students' willingness to engage with science and their aspirations towards science careers during the pandemic. This study provides important implications for policymakers and educators to enhance science engagement and career aspirations for Chinese students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

M3 - Abstract

SP - 64

T2 - BSA Bourdieu Study Group’s Mid Term International Conference 2023

Y2 - 5 July 2023 through 7 July 2023

ER -