STEM
Eight dimensions
of science capital
1
Scientific literacy: a student’s
knowledge and understanding of
science and how science works. This
includes their confidence in feeling that
they know about science.
2
Science-related attitudes, values
and dispositions: the extent to
which a student sees science as
relevant to their everyday life.
3
Knowledge about the transferability
of science: understanding the utility
and broad application of scientific skills,
knowledge and qualifications.
4
Science media consumption:
the extent to which a student
engages with science-related media
including television, books, magazines
and internet content.
5
Participation in out-of-school
science learning contexts:
how often a student participates in
informal science learning contexts,
such as at science museums, science
clubs and fairs.
6
Family science skills, knowledge and
qualifications: the extent to which
a student’s family members have
science-related skills, qualifications,
jobs and interests.
7
Knowing people in science-related
roles: the people a student knows
(in a meaningful way) among their
wider family, friends, peers and
community circles who work in
science-related roles.
8
Talking about science in everyday
life: how often a student talks about
science with key people in their lives
(friends, siblings, parents, neighbours,
community members).
FUTURE TALENTED // 43