Sir John Holman, University of York, UK: Science Education: critical for Europe's Future
Keynote speech of the Scientix European Conference, 6-8 May 2011, Brussels, Belgium
24. Gross additional lifetime earnings (wage premiums) by degree subject compared to two or more GCE A-levels
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27. Horizontal axis: Human Development Index Vertical axis: Score on positive attitudes towards science Svein Sjoberg, University of Oslo: Project ROSE
28. Science teaching has many supporters Informal sector Science teaching in schools and colleges Governments Foundations Academia Industry
55. The Washington Post How Shanghai topped PISA rankings -- and why it's not big news in China By Valerie Strauss Q. How did Shanghai students, participating in a high-profile international exam for the first time, land at the top of the math, reading and science rankings? A. An obsession with test-taking, to the exclusion of a lot of other things
I don’t intend to give figures – well documented in e.g. SET for Success Backed up by my own experience – every headteacher knows the foreboding as May 31 st approaches and the sinking feeling when a teacher of physics or chemistry – or worse still, maths – comes to see you near that time. And that was in a highly successful school with special strength in maths and sciences
Science and Maths dominate. In secondary schools, opportunities for integration are limited because of the need to have specialist teaching. But there are advantages in showing pupils the links between subjects – and for better co-ordination between teaching.
But look at it from outside and it’s different. T and E dominate, S, T, E and M are used in a seamless way, and integration is natural. We need to get more of this flavour into the classroom, because it shows why it’s important to study STEM and can help motivation – especially if you employ role models.
Almost too many supporters – there are so many things going on – often unco-ordinated
The reasons we need more people to understand science: Future scientists Democratic society – eg Human Fertility and Embryology Bill debated on Monday and Tuesday. Issues (a) hybrid embryos (b) ‘saviour siblings’ (c) Ending requirement to consider need for a father in adoption by gay/ lesbian