Middle east meets west: Comparing children’s attitudes to school science

This study compares the attitudes of primary children to school science between children from the Northern Ireland (UK) and Oman. Previous research has indicated that pupils in the more senior primary classes showed a marked decline in their enjoyment of school science, although most of this research was carried out in Europe, North America, and Australia. In this study, an instrument that had been used to measure attitudes of pupils in UK schools was adapted for use in Oman. Results reveal some striking similarities and interesting differences between attitudes of children towards school science. These findings are discussed in relation to the respective challenges facing primary teachers in regard to teaching science in the two regions.