Chamber
Plenary, 03 Mar 2004
03 Mar 2004 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Institute for Science Education in Scotland
I congratulate Lord James Douglas-Hamilton on securing this debate on an important subject. I speak in support of the development of the Institute for Science Education in Scotland. It is important to establish a co-ordinated body for the many excellent science education projects that are going on throughout Scotland. As has been said, science graduates contribute not only to science research but to all aspects of life in Scotland. My researcher has a PhD in geophysics, specialising in earthquakes and volcanoes. He is now using the transferable skills that he learned in science higher education to learn about earthquakes and volcanoes in my constituency office.
The University of Edinburgh's King's buildings science site lies in my constituency. I highlight the excellent work that is done there in science education and the fostering of links between teachers and academics. It is important that the new institute encourages the replication of projects that are already working. I recently visited the chemistry department at the University of Edinburgh during science week, and I saw the work that it is doing with primary schools in Edinburgh. I had the pleasure of judging a crystal-growing competition and seeing the enthusiasm of the pupils. All those who, like me, taught science will remember growing those big blue crystals, and the children whom I met were growing something similar. I saw the enthusiasm of the staff and pupils who were involved in that work, and I was shown all sorts of things thereafter. I put on record my congratulations to the university on its promotion of that annual event. However, sadly, not as many primary schools were represented as I would have liked. It is up to us, in our unique position as elected representatives, to help to publicise such events in our constituencies and to help to foster links between schools and university departments.
Another excellent science project is the sci-fun science roadshow, through which staff and postgraduates from the University of Edinburgh take fun science throughout Scotland. They give voluntarily of their time and have travelled the length and breadth of Scotland, engaging primary and secondary school pupils. If more pupils had access to such workshops and roadshows, more children would be enthused about science. As David Davidson said, that is what we have to ensure. In 2002, during an experiment in which a Catherine-wheel was being demonstrated, a hole was drilled straight through the desk that was being used for the experiment, much to the amusement of all the kids. When I visited the roadshow last year, the desk had, unfortunately, been replaced with a metal plate; however, I assure Brian Adam that the bangs that night deafened us all temporarily.
Young kids have got to be made excited about science, as members have said. The key time when problems occur is at secondary school, when kids begin to make subject choices—to which Robert Brown referred—and science does not seem to feature. We must ensure that teachers make sure that pupils are given the opportunity to take science subjects and that those subjects feature.
The Institute for Science Education in Scotland can fulfil a key role in linking up academics and secondary school teachers so that pupils in their mid-teens can be persuaded of the career prospects and attractiveness of science. We also need to remind them about how much fun they found science when they were younger. It is true that science subjects can be hard and that science teachers have a tough job; however, I whole-heartedly welcome the institute and I support the call for the Executive to help in its development as much as possible to bring the fun back to science.
The University of Edinburgh's King's buildings science site lies in my constituency. I highlight the excellent work that is done there in science education and the fostering of links between teachers and academics. It is important that the new institute encourages the replication of projects that are already working. I recently visited the chemistry department at the University of Edinburgh during science week, and I saw the work that it is doing with primary schools in Edinburgh. I had the pleasure of judging a crystal-growing competition and seeing the enthusiasm of the pupils. All those who, like me, taught science will remember growing those big blue crystals, and the children whom I met were growing something similar. I saw the enthusiasm of the staff and pupils who were involved in that work, and I was shown all sorts of things thereafter. I put on record my congratulations to the university on its promotion of that annual event. However, sadly, not as many primary schools were represented as I would have liked. It is up to us, in our unique position as elected representatives, to help to publicise such events in our constituencies and to help to foster links between schools and university departments.
Another excellent science project is the sci-fun science roadshow, through which staff and postgraduates from the University of Edinburgh take fun science throughout Scotland. They give voluntarily of their time and have travelled the length and breadth of Scotland, engaging primary and secondary school pupils. If more pupils had access to such workshops and roadshows, more children would be enthused about science. As David Davidson said, that is what we have to ensure. In 2002, during an experiment in which a Catherine-wheel was being demonstrated, a hole was drilled straight through the desk that was being used for the experiment, much to the amusement of all the kids. When I visited the roadshow last year, the desk had, unfortunately, been replaced with a metal plate; however, I assure Brian Adam that the bangs that night deafened us all temporarily.
Young kids have got to be made excited about science, as members have said. The key time when problems occur is at secondary school, when kids begin to make subject choices—to which Robert Brown referred—and science does not seem to feature. We must ensure that teachers make sure that pupils are given the opportunity to take science subjects and that those subjects feature.
The Institute for Science Education in Scotland can fulfil a key role in linking up academics and secondary school teachers so that pupils in their mid-teens can be persuaded of the career prospects and attractiveness of science. We also need to remind them about how much fun they found science when they were younger. It is true that science subjects can be hard and that science teachers have a tough job; however, I whole-heartedly welcome the institute and I support the call for the Executive to help in its development as much as possible to bring the fun back to science.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The final item of business today is a members' business debate on motion S2M-870, in the name of Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, on the Institute for Science Ed...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes the widespread concerns about the future of science education in Scotland; believes the declining popularity of science subjects in...
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con):
Con
Science education in Scotland is vital because of the tremendous contribution that Scots have made to science. Scots are responsible for almost one quarter o...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
A considerable number of members wish to speak in the debate, so I will stick to three-minute speeches.
Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab):
Lab
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 sp...
Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate Lord James Douglas-Hamilton on lodging the motion.We are looking to exploit, nurture and encourage the natural curiosity of children and young...
Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD):
LD
I congratulate Lord James Douglas-Hamilton on initiating a debate on this extremely important subject. I welcome the establishment of the Institute for Scien...
Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab):
Lab
Like others, I very much welcome this debate on science education and I congratulate Lord James Douglas-Hamilton on securing it. I had to laugh when I heard ...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green):
Green
When I was in Kenya, I was the principal teacher of a physics and chemistry department. I can assure Brian Adam that my main job was to try to keep the bangs...
Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the debate. Although the central subject is the Institute for Science Education in Scotland, it is also very much about school science education an...
Brian Adam:
SNP
Does the member share the enthusiasm of some of our new universities for attracting students to forensic science courses? In such courses, people who might n...
Dr Sylvia Jackson:
Lab
I agree entirely, which is why I said that science, engineering and technology should be grouped together, because applied science is important. As Brian Ada...
Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD):
LD
I thank Lord James Douglas-Hamilton for introducing the debate. The institute is fundamental to how we progress.If young people in education perceive science...
Dr Sylvia Jackson:
Lab
Does the member agree that one of the big issues is that primary school teachers often have little science knowledge, given their training and background?
Nora Radcliffe:
LD
That is one of the big issues and it is why I find the fact that primary school teachers can access the pool of expertise so exciting. That access will give ...
Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I congratulate Lord James Douglas-Hamilton on securing the debate. I am an applied scientist, although I should point out that I had the privilege of burning...
Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab):
Lab
I was about to train to become a physics teacher when I began a political career 10 years ago through being elected to Strathclyde Regional Council. I had a ...
Mike Pringle (Edinburgh South) (LD):
LD
I congratulate Lord James Douglas-Hamilton on securing this debate on an important subject. I speak in support of the development of the Institute for Scienc...
Mr Keith Raffan (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD):
LD
I, too, congratulate Lord James Douglas-Hamilton on securing this important debate and welcome the establishment of the Institute for Science Education in Sc...
The Deputy Minister for Education and Young People (Euan Robson):
LD
I am grateful to Lord James Douglas-Hamilton for securing the debate, which has been very interesting. The Executive is always pleased to debate science educ...
Meeting closed at 18:12.