LATVIA STUDENTS' INTEREST IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS SUBJECTS

An important factor influencing the welfare of society is the development of science and technologies. The development of science and technologies depends on different factors but important role in it has students' science literacy. Investigations have shown that interest in science subjects usually develop rather early in primary and basic school. An important role in promoting the interest in the subject have teachers and their ability to create interest of students. Investigations in different countries have shown that students' interest in science subjects often is insufficient and students experience difficulties in mastering STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects. The aim of the study was to clear out Latvia students' interest in different subjects and factors which influence students' interest in STEM subjects. The electronic survey of Latvia secondary school and university students was carried out. 12th-grade secondary school students from 2 Riga schools and the University of Latvia 1st course pedagogical specialities students were surveyed (altogether 212 students). The results of the research showed that secondary school students most of all are interested in such subjects as English language, biology and geography. Students also highly appreciated such subjects as geography, mathematics, visual art, history and sports. University pedagogical specialities students are most of all interested in the Latvian language, Latvian literature and visual art. These subjects are followed by geography, sports and informatics. From STEM subjects secondary school students are more interested in biology and mathematics but less interested in chemistry and physics. Pedagogical specialities students are less interested in STEM subjects in comparison with secondary school students, especially in such subjects as physics and chemistry. The most important factors that cause students to interest in the subject are the opportunity to acquire an interesting profession related to the subject, possibility to apply obtained knowledge in life and influence of teachers. Especially high the influence of teachers is evaluated by pedagogical specialities students. Students highly appreciate the ability of the teacher to teach the subject simply and comprehensibly and attract students to the subject. The most important factors that cause students' aversion against the subject are an inability to understand the content of the subject, the inability of the teacher to teach the subject interesting and the inability of the student to see the significance of the subject. The important factors which could raise the interest of students in STEM subjects are: using of interactive methods and investigations during the teaching-learning process of STEM subjects and ability of the teacher to create pupils' interest in science from the first grades. One of the most important tasks for teachers is to find out a way how to raise students' interest in science subjects and ensure that they can see the usefulness of STEM subjects in their future lives.