Abstract: Study on the formation mechanism of scientific literacy for teenagers is very important to this particular group. Main factors affecting the scientific literacy of teenagers could be categorized into group factor, individual factor, environmental factor, and the manner of education and learning. Path analysis is able to simultaneously examine the relationships between multiple sets of variables, and clearly summarize the relationships between variables on the same side, in particular intermediaries. By using the method of path analysis and on the basis of the results from the student science literacy evaluation of primary schools and middle schools in Beijing, a path map for the predictive formation of teenager science literacy is constructed.

Key words: teenager, science literacy, path analysis, formation mechanism