This research evaluated the desirability of science teaching as a career as rated by eighth grade students. An instrument was developed on which respondents placed their own choice of best and worst possible careers as endpoints on a 10 point scale. Forty-five additional careers, including careers in science teaching, science, and teaching of subjects other than science were then rated by the students with respect to the endpoints. Careers in teaching were generally rated low by the respondents with the exception of physical education and mathematics teaching. The respondent's race and educational aspirations were shown to have a significant relationship (0.05 level) with the ratings of some science teaching careers. Additionally, the relationship between the type of job held by the respondent's parents and the rating of science teaching was also significant in some cases. The most obvious result of this study was the verification that eighth grade students do not rate science teaching as a desirable career. Therefore, the shortage of science teachers seen will not likely diminish unless science teaching is made to be a more attractive career goal. (Author/JN)