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Chamber

Plenary, 03 Mar 2004

03 Mar 2004 · S2 · Plenary

Item of business

Institute for Science Education in Scotland

Alexander, Ms Wendy Lab Paisley North Watch on SPTV

I thank Lord James Douglas-Hamilton for initiating this debate. The fact that the Presiding Officer is already limiting the length of time members have to speak indicates the degree of commitment to the issue, throughout the chamber.

Lord James started his speech by referring to some of the contributions Scots have made to science. As I was thinking about this debate, I thought about the fact that the Institute for Science Education in Scotland takes as one of its founding precepts a leaf from the Jesuit maxim, "Give me a child at seven." The whole idea is that adult scientists should work alongside science teachers to stimulate our young people's interest in science. I reflect on that as someone who specialised in physics, chemistry and biology at school.

There is some evidence that we can do better at updating the science curriculum to help it engage young people more effectively. Youngsters today have no lack of interest in using the fruits of technology, but there may be insufficient interest in understanding where that technology comes from. By focusing on the development of the curriculum, the dissemination of best practice and continuing professional development for teachers, the institute is focusing on exactly the right age group and the challenge that we face.

I have been involved in another initiative to stimulate science education in schools: it is called the generation science club, which will be familiar to many who know about this debate. It arranges visits round Scotland. Last year, I had the privilege of joining in on one of the club's activities in my constituency—I joined two primary 5 classes talking about the ecology of the rainforest. Those primary 5s were certainly engaged in the whole science vista.

I conclude with the point with which Lord James concluded. There is no doubt an opportunity. One has to commend the Institute for Science Education in Scotland whole-heartedly for being a bottom-up initiative. That said, it has already commanded the support of every university in Scotland and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. For those reasons, if for no other, it commends itself to the Executive for support.

Too often, this chamber finds itself bidding for more money than England or sums commensurate with those in England, so it is fair to note in passing that, in England, £25 million—which was matched by the Government—was allocated by the Wellcome Trust. To its immense credit, the Institute for Science Education in Scotland has got itself going with simply £350,000, so it is a modest contribution that will be required to make the network operate. A regional hub structure is in place. I encourage the Executive to look favourably on how the bottom-up initiative can be supported to achieve the goal of more of Scotland's young people not just moving into science education at school, but staying with it through undergraduate and post-graduate education, which will be of benefit to us all.