ACCESS STUDENTS ATTITUDES TO SCIENCE AND EDUCATION

This article describes how Repertory Grid technique was used to invest igate the attitudes of two groups of Access students, one of which was studying Science and the other Law. The attitudes of both groups to ' Science', and of the Science group to 'Education' and 'themselves' wer e explored. The study also suggests a tentative typology of students, in terms of their attitudes to science, the main thrust of which was a remarkable lack of antipathy to science throughout, while it was also clear that those who had chosen not to do science were unanimous in f ailing to see it as relevant to their lives. Furthermore, while the me mbers of the science group had a positive self-image it is interesting that the survey of the students' background also showed that both gro ups of students had relatives or close friends who had had experience of higher education. This suggests that these courses, at least, were not yet attracting the students for whom they were intended. The study provides some guidance for those who are designing such courses.