Relationship between students' interests in science and attitudes toward nuclear power generation

• Published in: Progress in nuclear energy (New series) Vol. 50; no. 2; pp. 719 - 727
• Main Authors: Komiya, Izumi, Torii, Hiroyuki, Fujii, Yasuhiko, Hayashizaki, Noriyosu
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Tarrytown, NY Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2008; Oxford Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Attitudes toward nuclear power generation; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fission nuclear power plants; Fuels; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Nuclear fuels; Students' interests in science; Asia; Japan; Students' interests in science; Attitudes toward nuclear power generation; Nuclear energy; Higher education; Food industry; Electric power production; Public opinion; Robotics; Nuclear reactor
• ISSN: 0149-1970
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2007.11.068

In order to study the following two points, we conducted an attitude survey among senior high school students.
Study 1
The differences in attitudes between nuclear power generation and other science and technologies.
Study 2
The relationship between students' interests in science and attitudes toward nuclear power generation.
In the questionnaire, the attitudes toward nuclear power generation consisted of four questions: (1) pros and cons, (2) safety, (3) necessity, (4) reliability of scientists and engineers who are involved in nuclear power; and we treat four science and technology issues: (1) genetically modified foods, (2) nuclear power generation, (3) humanoid and pet robots, (4) crone technology.
From study 1, on attitude to security toward nuclear power generation, about 80% of respondents answered negatively and on attitude to necessity toward it, about 75% of respondents answered positively. Therefore, we found that the structure of attitude was complicated and that it was specific to nuclear power generation.
From study 2, we found students' interests in science that influence the attitude toward nuclear power generation.