Ernest Rutherford and William Pickering did not think it was dull, and neither it seems do Marlborough Boys' College students.
Boys' college students say science is cool, despite a Massey University study showing the number of university science graduates is falling because secondary students find the subject boring.
Most students at the Blenheim college spoken to by The Marlborough Express said their love of science came down to how the subject was taught.
Lord Rutherford, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist known for splitting the atom, and Sir William, a rocket scientist who worked with National Aeronautics and Space Administration, both spent their early schooling days in Marlborough.
Year-12 student Kagan Kawharu is studying NCEA level 2 chemistry, physics, biology and marine science and wants to study chemistry at university.
He found the sciences interesting because the balance between theory and practical work was just right.
"It's more hands on than other subjects like English, where you just sit there and write. In chemistry, you're seeing why things happen," he said.
He said the subjects come easily to him, although a good teacher helped.
Year-13 student Harry Taylor, who takes level-3 chemistry and physics, liked sciences, but was leaning towards studying engineering at university.
"There are too many little things and concepts to remember with chemistry. The practical stuff is good, but most of it is pretty boring," he said.
Former Boys' College student Tim Crampton, 21, said students could be put off studying science at university because they might not think there were many job prospects. The fourth-year University of Otago medical student said science degrees could be used as a platform for other specialist studies like dentistry.
He was open-minded about where medicine might take him when he finished his degree in three years, but he wanted to use it to travel.
"It's almost a universal language," he said.
Making science enjoyable for students was about the relationships teachers had with students.
It was also important to have an inquisitive mind and want to know why things worked, he said.
Students and anyone else looking for a new career have the chance to check out their options at the Boys' College careers evening on Monday night.
A host of tertiary education and training providers will be available to discuss options with at the Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000 between 7pm and 9pm.
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
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