Less than half of Canberra's year 12 certificate receivers are choosing to study science at a time when the importance of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects is being stressed more than ever.
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Over the past three years the proportion of Canberrans studying a science subject, including biology, chemistry, earth science and physics in their final year of school has stayed almost steady with 44.5 per cent of 2014's cohort, up on 43 per cent in 2013, but slightly below the 44.6 per cent in 2012, figures from the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies show.
Of the 4405 students awarded the year 12 certificate in 2014, 91.7 per cent studied maths, almost on par with 91.2 per cent in 2013 and 92.9 per cent in 2012.
Although it was considered, a review of the Year 12 Certificate shied away from making maths a requirement of its replacement the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate with the committee instead deciding to "strongly recommend" maths to students.
But despite being optional, a greater proportion of Canberrans appear to take up maths compared to their NSW counterparts.
Although NSW does not collate data into major subject areas for students who receive their Higher School Certificate (HSC), just 75.9 per cent of the 76,679 NSW students enrolled in at least one HSC subject studied a maths course in 2014, data from the NSW Board of Studies shows.
But NSW students' uptake of science was similar to the territory's with 45.1 per cent of students studying at least one science subject.
Nationally, the percentage of students studying science and mathematics in their final year of school has been declining over the past 20 years a report in October revealed.
In the ACT, the percentage of students studying design and technology, including courses such as engineering, computer-aided design, wood and metal technology, declined in 2014 to 24.9 per cent from 27.2 per cent in 2013 and 27.3 per cent in 2012.
Few students choose to study IT with just 7.9 per cent of 2014's cohort, 6.8 per cent in 2013 and 7.8 per cent in 2012.
When it came to the science gender divide, the ACT followed the national trend in 2014 when 47.4 per cent of boys studied science compared to 41.7 per cent of girls.
Maths had a similar gender split with 93.1 per cent of boys choosing the subject compared to 90.4 per cent of girls.
But the gender imbalance in IT was far greater with 13 per cent of boys choosing the subject compared to 2.9 per cent of girls in 2014.
Harrison School year 10 student Zahra Moinkhah may be one to buck the trend, she's keen to continue science and maths at college next year and hopes to pick up robotics when a place becomes available in the popular course.
Her teacher Laura Simsen said interactive iPad app Mathspace had transformed the way the school taught maths and practical science lessons were the secret to keeping students engaged.
"Kids who want to go and do trades know they need maths… they try really hard because they're conscious of how valuable it will be in the future," she said.
"I don't feel maths is the hated subject people think it is."
Both student and teacher dismissed concerns over the gender divide in the STEM subjects.
"Some of our highest [achieving] kids are girls and they are amazing," Ms Simsen said.
"I wouldn't at all say the boys were stronger or had more interest."
