The Science Council’s comments on latest European poll on the attitudes of young people towards science.
Last week, the Science Council published research on the attitudes of students in the UK to STEM subjects and launched a new website called Future Morph, which aims to encourage young people to study science subjects.
14.11.08
Press Statement: Diana Garnham, Chief Executive, Science Council
The Science Council welcomes this latest Eurobarometer report. Much of the survey findings are not a surprise and are consistent with our own research, including the survey we published last week on teenagers’ views on where science and maths qualifications could take them in future life. In the European survey released today, the UK has some of the lowest figures for making a positive choice to study science and some of the highest figures (71%) for not being interested in a science profession. Just one third of the 16-18 year olds we surveyed believe that science qualifications will help them later on in life.
While the findings are disappointing, they say loud and clear that the science community can do more to understand what excites and enthuses young people and will switch them on to a science future. It is clear also that we need to take on board the different attitudes and concerns of socio-economic groups and of gender and communicate with them in a way that resonates with their interests. For example, young men are far more interested in new inventions and technologies and ICT, while young women are attracted by subjects such as the Earth and the environment and the human body.
Louise Kingham, Chief Executive of the Energy Institute adds: “We must work collectively to promote the opportunities that science offers everyone: much of which is yet to be discovered.”
The UK needs some 400,000 more science and technology qualified individuals in the workforce by 2020 if it is to compete globally. The publication of the Eurobarometer survey underlines the importance and timeliness of the new Science Council’s careers website, www.futuremorph.org which aims to demonstrate how a career as a scientist or engineer can help the world tackle major global issues such as health and the environment.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Jeremy Hay-Campbell jeremy@3-monkeys.co.uk 020 7009 3127
Gemma Shaw gemmashaw@3-monkeys.co.uk 020 7009 3121
Diana Garnham d.garnham@sciencecouncil.org 07768 055853
Or email: sciencecouncil@3-monkeys.co.uk
Notes to editors:
Future Morph is supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and forms part of its Science and Maths campaign to encourage young people to take science and mathematics at A level. More exciting STEM jobs can be viewed on the campaign website at: www.scienceandmaths.net. Teachers and careers professionals will also be targeted by the campaign to help them in advising students choosing their post 16 options.
About the Science Council
The Science Council was established by Royal Charter in 2003 with the objects to advance science and its applications for public benefit.
It is a membership organisation for learned and professional bodies across science and its applications and works with them to represent this sector to government and others.
The Science Council promotes the profession of scientist through the Chartered Scientist designation and the development of codes of practice; it promotes awareness of the contribution of professional scientists to science and society and advances science education and increased understanding of the benefits of science.
The Science Council provides a forum for discussion and exchange of views and works to foster collaboration between member organisations and the wider science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical communities to enable inter-disciplinary contributions to science policy and the application of science.
