Chamber
Plenary, 03 Mar 2004
03 Mar 2004 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Institute for Science Education in Scotland
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 Brian Adam say that we need science to go with a bang. My very first science experiment in first year in secondary school involved melting naphthalene in a test tube over a Bunsen burner and watching it change from a solid into a liquid. Mine exploded. That did not put me off science, although it put me off chemistry for a while—I ended up doing higher biology instead.
It will not surprise members to hear that I propose to talk about my constituency and the very important bioscience cluster there. Over the years, Midlothian has lost more than 20,000 jobs in the coal mining industry and it is now reinventing itself as one of the most important bioscience clusters in the United Kingdom. It is also important in a world context, with world-famous research institutes such as the Roslin Institute. For a while, Dolly the sheep—sadly now departed—was my most famous constituent. There are also institutes such as the Moredun Research Institute. We have a world-class bioscience cluster in Midlothian.
The challenge for Midlothian is that although its economy currently has one of the lowest levels of unemployment in Scotland, it also has the second lowest proportion of young people going to university. Midlothian faces a major challenge if it and the people who live there are to benefit from its bioscience cluster. We need to connect people in Midlothian, particularly young people, with the scientists who work there. That is a huge challenge, but I and others in the constituency must take it up to ensure that young people in Midlothian have the range of opportunities to which they should be entitled. I look forward to that challenge and congratulate Lord James again on securing the debate, which allows people like me to make some connections and to participate.
It will not surprise members to hear that I propose to talk about my constituency and the very important bioscience cluster there. Over the years, Midlothian has lost more than 20,000 jobs in the coal mining industry and it is now reinventing itself as one of the most important bioscience clusters in the United Kingdom. It is also important in a world context, with world-famous research institutes such as the Roslin Institute. For a while, Dolly the sheep—sadly now departed—was my most famous constituent. There are also institutes such as the Moredun Research Institute. We have a world-class bioscience cluster in Midlothian.
The challenge for Midlothian is that although its economy currently has one of the lowest levels of unemployment in Scotland, it also has the second lowest proportion of young people going to university. Midlothian faces a major challenge if it and the people who live there are to benefit from its bioscience cluster. We need to connect people in Midlothian, particularly young people, with the scientists who work there. That is a huge challenge, but I and others in the constituency must take it up to ensure that young people in Midlothian have the range of opportunities to which they should be entitled. I look forward to that challenge and congratulate Lord James again on securing the debate, which allows people like me to make some connections and to participate.
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.