This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Year of Science jumps to public attention
07/09/2001
The Year of Science was jump-started today with a plan to popularise the subject among youngsters and show that science can be fun.
Education Minister Jack McConnell reinforced the message at the Glasgow Science Centre by joining 200 schoolchildren to take part in a "Giant Jump" world record attempt with a seismologist on hand to record the collective impact being made across Britain by simultaneous jumps in London, Birmingham, Cornwall, Newcastle, Belfast and Cardiff.
Mr McConnell was at the GSC to launch the Year of Science which aims to improve perceptions about and involvement in science. It is directed at school pupils from Stornoway to Stranraer and there are a series of events, exhibitions and initiatives scheduled over the next year.
Mr McConnell said:
"One of the biggest issues we face is making sure the spark of interest in all forms of science which you see in younger primary school children is continued into secondary education. We have to stop this interest dropping off.
"Science Year in Scotland will allow a fresh focus on science education and to help continue that momentum I am appointing a Scottish Science Year co-ordinator. They will organise specific events throughout Scotland and liaise with partners around the country to ensure Scottish schools gain experience from the many UK initiatives tacking place.
"Our commitment to improving the quality of science education in Scottish schools will also be backed with new project funding of £8 million over this year and next. This will be used to support the teaching of Science in Scottish schools, and the projects to be supported will be discussed with those who work in our school labs.
"This investment will ensure we have an education system which recognises the importance of science not only to those in the scientific community but for everyone in their everyday lives.
"The Year of Science will be full of events which will support and encourage science education. I am sure we will see activity in every part of the country from Stornoway to Stranraer. Pupils will be involved with teachers and parents but I also expect activities to involve local communities, businesses and many other organisations."
BACKGROUND
1. Science Year is a unique initiative managed by National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) of behalf of the Department for Education and Skills, and involving key partners the Association for Science Education and the British Association for the Advancement of Science. It aims to raise awareness of science among young people aged 10 - 19 years and their key influencers - parents and teachers.
2. The launch of the Year of Science is taking place simultaneously across seven UK venues: Glasgow,
3. The Scottish co-ordinator will liaise with UK partners on the many UK initiatives which schools will benefit from, such as:
- The "Kit Pot" - a sponsorship fund which will offer science equipment;
- The Science Line - a direct telephone line open 6 days a week to answer questions - whatever they are - about science;
- A series of lectures on contemporary science featuring well respected speakers which will take place across the UK.
4. The Scottish Executive will also support a number of other initiatives such as:
- The Johnny Ball roadshow - a science-related theatre show aimed at schoolchildren in the 10-14 age range
- The SCI-FUN roadshow which offers science activities for S2 pupils
A number of other initiatives are currently being considered and will be announced in due course.
5. Science materials can be purchased by schools and local authorities with the £10m allocation for equipment and minor repairs announced by Mr McConnell on August 6.
6. Teachers of science, although performing well, need more support to help them raise attainment and improve standards in both primary schools and the early secondary stages. As part of the Scottish Executive Science Strategy, Learning and Teaching Scotland will be asked to bring forward proposals to tackle key issues relating to science education in schools.
7. The Science Strategy for Scotland was launch by Wendy Alexander on August 27, 2001. The main aims of the Strategy are:
- Promote Scotland as an international centre of scientific expertise
- Recognise the importance of developing science in schools, colleges and Universities and HE provision
- Join up science policy and investment decisions through specialist fellowships and Proof of Concept funding
- Make Government smarter in its work with the science community
- Create a Scottish Science Advisory Committee under the umbrella of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
- Build international bridges with other leading universities worldwide
- Promote public awareness, appreciation and understanding of science
- Create a pipeline of support to carry science from Scottish laboratories into the creation of global companies