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NewS
Young Scottish scientists
can take quantum leap
by Sam Phipps
28 per cent in Scotland against 8.1 ural interest in science, but it’s clear
per cent in England. that too many potential scientists
Dr Simon Gage, director of the are slipping through the net.
Curriculum changes to science Edinburgh International Science “Scotland has a rich scientific
and maths have the potential to Festival – which reaches about heritage. However, our research
strengthen the subjects considerably 55,000 Scottish pupils each year shows that many of today’s children
in Scotland, a leading scientist through its Generation Science don’t realise just where science can
has said after two reports painted touring programme – said he was take them.”
a contradictory picture of their optimistic that Curriculum for Shell, which polled 4,000 nine
standing among pupils. Excellence, which is being gradu- to 14-year-olds across the UK,
Shell UK concluded this week ally rolled out, would further boost found a decline in positive attitudes
that Scotland could be losing 5,500 science and maths in the coming to science as children progressed
gifted young scientists a year in years. into secondary. In Scotland, where
terms of those who choose not to “I have a lot of faith in the the findings broadly mirrored those
pursue it beyond 16. approach because it introduces for the UK as a whole, only five
However, the bleak outlook was a flexibility that means science per cent of children want to be a
not shared by the Royal Society, teachers can do project work that scientist, it said, compared with 20
whose latest research shows far is entirely about contemporary per cent who want to be a footballer
more Scottish pupils are taking issues,” he told SecEd. “There are and 18 per cent an actor.
non-compulsory exams in physics, some really great ideas around, Many young people showed a
chemistry, biology and maths than really inspirational ways of teach- limited grasp of what being a sci-
anywhere else in the UK. ing science, and more and more entist might entail. A third were
According to the Royal Society, of them will be introduced in our put off because they do not want to
the independent scientific academy schools.” sit in a lab all day and almost half
for the UK and Commonwealth, John Gallagher, vice president failed to recognise that a career in
12 per cent of 16-year-olds sat of Shell UK, said: “Our challenge plastic surgery would require an
Higher physics compared with just is not just to ignite children’s inter- understanding of science.
3.6 per cent of 17-year-olds taking est in science, but to keep them “Curriculum for Excellence will
it at A level in England, 4.8 per engaged – through school, college put science back in touch with con-
cent in Northern Ireland and 2.8 and beyond. We know from our temporary culture, especially at sec-
per cent in Wales. For maths it was workshops that children have a nat- ondary level,” Dr Gage added.
‘Values’ education key
Queen’s
to tackling knife crime
Awards
now open
Politicians and the police are “Recent interviews with some to help people arrive at conclu-
losing the fight against knife crime young people tell of them being sions about their own best inter- Nominations are now open for
because young people are not being threatened at knife-point several ests. These could include debates the 2009 Queen’s Award for
educated about traditional values, times a year in streets that surround about why people carry knives, Enterprise Promotion, which
according to an education expert. their homes, actually being stabbed examining issues around showing rewards individuals who run
Dr Bill Robb claims that policy- or being afraid all the time, wonder- off, peer pressure and the use of entrepreneurial courses for
makers are ignoring “values” edu- ing when it will be their turn.” weapons as a fashion accessory, secondary school children.
cation, in which pupils are brought Dr Robb, who is a manage- and discussions about whether it The awards have been run-
face-to-face with issues through ment and education consultant, said is a good thing to carry a knife ning for three years, during
discussions about the implications short-term fixes such as stop and at all. which time four individuals
of their actions. search, punishing those who carry It would also look at mutual have been recognised.
He said this could be in a cross- knives, and jailing the attackers respect, the implications of killing John May received the award
curricular, whole-school approach, might be effective but could not be someone, and what could be done this year. A trained teacher, he
in specific subjects such as PSHE, sustained in the long-term. to raise young people’s self-esteem has worked at a range of schools
or by setting aside time specifically “We need a long-term approach in ways other than violence. Other from suburban England to refu-
for themed days or events. that gets youngsters to willingly themes could include sanctions gee camps in Uganda.
More than 20 young people give up carrying and using knives,” against perpetrators. He became a headteacher at
have been fatally stabbed in UK he said. Dr Robb added: “No-one is age 28, then went on to establish
towns and cities so far this year, “In values education classes, a naive enough to think that a few Careers Academies UK, a char-
mainly in London, with hundreds technique known about since the chats will convert all young people ity that aims to raise the aspira-
more being seriously injured. early 1990s, young people can be into not carrying knives. However, tions of 16 to 19-year-olds.
Dr Robb, of the Centre for brought face-to-face with the stu- over time and with continually ask- The Academies allow stu-
Alleviating Social Problems through pidity of carrying and using knives. ing youngsters to draw on their own dents, largely from deprived
Beech
Values Education, said: “Hardly a It takes time, but nothing else is innate human wisdom, most will be inner-city areas, to undertake
week goes by without a youngster working.” converted.” six-week business internships.
being seriously wounded or killed Values education involves the For details, visit www.values Another 2008 winner, Sally
in a knife attack. use of questions and discussion education.co.uk Arkley, led the West Midlands
TPL/Christpher
Enterprise Laboratory, which
w
Funding boost for money scheme
challenged schoolgirls to run
their own virtual pharmacy
Photo:
business, from market research
Schools across England will soon to product development.
Pupils help plant
have access to £10 million worth Last year, the award was
of resources designed to help in taken by Manchester Academy
teaching pupils about money teacher Jane Delfino, who was
management. recognised for her work improv-
250,000 new trees
The government-funded ing the attitudes and prospects in
MyMoney scheme is targeted at all the deprived Moss Side area of
school-aged children. At secondary the city.
level, it will offer a range of materials She organised Manchester
Schools across Essex are to set enabling every primary and second- designed to cover issues such as the Academy’s involvement with
about re-populating the county’s ary in Essex to take part. Child Trust Fund, dealing with fraud, the TV programme Make Your
woodland by helping to plant Christine Joachim, campaign and preparing for earning a wage. Mark With A Tenner, which
250,000 trees before March. development officer, said: “We Plans are also in place for encouraged school children to
The work is being undertaken know that when children plant trees MyMoney week – a week of Nine MyMoney consultants A spokesperson told SecEd: set up a business with just £10
with the Woodland Trust, which it captures their imaginations and school-based activities scheduled to are to work with local authori- “The ultimate aim of this engage- of capital.
says that the UK is one of the least gets them interested and involved take place in July 2009. ties throughout England, and will ment is to help develop a planned Nominations for the 2009
wooded places in Europe, with only with nature. Planting trees is a mem- A secondary-specific resource ultimately aim to provide teachers and coherent programme of per- Awards are open until October
13 per cent woodland. In Essex, the ory that lasts a lifetime.” pack is to be produced, while an with lesson plans and activities to sonal finance education in as many 31. For more information and
figure is 3.5 per cent. Any school that wants to online interactive money-manage- enable the introduction of finan- schools as possible.” a nomination form, visit www.
Nearly 70,000 trees have been take part in the planting can visit ment game aims to engage students cial education to subjects across For more information, email queensawards.org.uk/individual
set aside specifically for schools, www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/hedge in taking control of their finances. the curriculum. mymoney@pfeg.org
 SecEd • September 11 2008
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