What is physics? The perceptions of middle and high school students in El Paso

The border region of El Paso, Texas contains many families of low socioeconomic and educational background. The majority of local public high schools are not only failing to achieve in math and science, but few of the students take non-required science courses such as physics and chemistry. This is consistent with the disturbing national trend that only 11{\%} of U.S. Hispanic children take both chemistry and physics in high school. In order to increase the number of students prepared for and willing to take physics in high school, we have been investigating the perceptions of middle and high school aged students about science in general and about physics in particular. Because parental attitudes play such a critical role in students development, this study also solicited the parental perceptions of the middle school students. Fifty-eight middle school students and 18 of their parents as well as 130 high school students responded to the prompt: ``Briefly write what you think physics is about.'' Responses were sorted and coded by hand as well as by using the TextSmart software package. Percentages for the various categories are provided as well as interpretation, theoretical explanations and possible educational implications.