Hansard

Science education in Scotland is vital because of the tremendous contribution that Scots have made to science. Scots are responsible for almost one quarter of all great British inventions. Was not it Watt who invented the steam engine, Alexander Graham Bell who invented the telephone, John Logie Baird who invented the television, Alexander Fleming who invented penicillin, Joseph Lister who invented antiseptic, James Simpson who invented anaesthetic, not to mention the many others who invented or helped to create such useful items as adhesive stamps, marmalade, mackintosh raincoats and even that most remarkable of mammals, Dolly the sheep?

To maintain and develop our world role in science, maximum encouragement should be given to the young people in our schools who have ability, aptitude and inclination in that direction. If we want to pass on scientific knowledge to our young people and to endorse their aspirations, it is essential that our teachers be suitably motivated, educated and supported. They must have access to high-quality resources and training opportunities.

Albert Einstein said:

"Teaching should be such that what is offered is perceived as a valuable gift and not as a hard duty."

He also said that those who know the truth have a duty to impart it and the Institute for Science Education in Scotland is trying to do exactly that through the creation of a unique network of dedicated professionals. The aims and action plans of the institute are well structured and have the valuable support of prestigious key institutions such as the General Teaching Council for Scotland, all Scotland's universities and the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The Institute for Science Education in Scotland understands the enormous impact that science, engineering and technology have on everyday life and that science, engineering and technology education is crucial for Scotland's economic, social and democratic vitality. Currently, there is a decline in the number of students who opt to study science subjects at school, college and university, which ultimately presents a challenge to the Scottish Executive and to Scottish parliamentarians.

Through the consent of its partners, the ISES will be the means of co-ordinating the activities of the science community in supporting teachers and schools. The institute also hopes to act as a bridge between the science community and the Executive in fulfilling the Executive's educational responsibilities. In that respect, it is a resource for the Executive to use. That role was identified as being crucial in the excellent first report of the Scottish Science Advisory Committee, which is entitled "Why Science Education Matters: Supporting and Improving Science Education in Scottish Schools".

It has been agreed by the National Centre for Excellence in Science Teaching in England that the ISES should be the body through which its links to Scotland will be managed. It is hoped that the Executive and the institute will be able to discuss with the national centre and the Wellcome Trust how that relationship can be made most effective and how it can be funded. The Wellcome Trust is probably Britain's largest charity and its commitment to research is extremely long-standing and absolutely outstanding. Gratitude is due to that trust.

Scotland, we believe, cannot afford to lose out in comparison with its counterparts. The Scottish Executive's support is vital if science education is to succeed in putting Scots at the cutting edge of technology. It should seize this opportunity by building on the creation of the Institute for Science Education in Scotland, linking with the National Centre for Excellence in Science Teaching in England, and accepting the recommendations of the Scottish Science Advisory Committee's report that we should create a distinctive and imaginative Scottish solution to a vital issue for our society. We hope that the Executive will give maximum support to science education in Scotland.

It is only fair to bear in mind the fact that Concorde, whose wings were designed by a Scot—James Arnot Hamilton—will soon be visited by school parties from all over Scotland in the prestigious Museum of Flight of the National Museums of Scotland.

The role of science education should be given top priority and it should be supported by the highest in the land. We hope that the minister will do just that. Scotland deserves nothing less.