In 1990/91, a research study was undertaken in England on the Factors Affecting Schools’ Success in Producing Engineers and
Scientists (FASSIPES). This study was conducted by Brian Woolnough at the Oxford University Department of Educational Studies,
in conjunction with the Institute of Physics and the Institution of Electrical Engineers and National Power (Woolnough, 1991,
1994; Woolnough et al., 1997). Principally, Woolnough attempted to ascertain why young people chose to pursue a career in
the physical sciences and engineering. In addition, characteristics of schools which appeared to influence students to pursue
a study of science were investigated. A number of countries have since replicated this study as an international research
cooperative and the National Key Centre for School Science and Mathematics, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western
Australia participated on behalf of Australia. Currently, the following countries have contributed to FASSIPES International
in addition to England and Australia: Canada, China, Japan and Portugal.