This research report evaluates an initiative called The Business of Science, a Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MoRST) initiative that ran in the Waikato region in 2003. The initiative was targeted at Year 13 students who have studied science subjects at school, but intend to enter courses such as business, law, or commerce at tertiary level. The aim of the project was to encourage these students to retain some science (or science/technology) papers in their tertiary degrees.
MoRST commissioned New Zealand Career Services to pilot the design and delivery of a programme of activities to promote the Business of Science message to senior secondary students, science teachers, careers teachers, and tertiary staff in the Waikato region.
The three main events for the initiative were:
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The Business of Science official launch in March 2003;
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Business of Science seminars at the Waikato Career Paths Expo in June 2003; and
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visits to 17 Waikato secondary schools by the Business of Science roadshow in August/September 2003.
To evaluate the initiative, NZCER collected data through surveys and telephone interviews with students who participated in the Business of Science events, and interviews with staff from the University of Waikato and the Waikato Institute of Technology.