Science communication flora Flashcards
What ways can a greater understanding of science be achieved?
Formal education
Science and mass media
Research Councils and Institutionalised Frameworks for Public Engagement
Changing the culture in universities and research institutes
Who is doing PE?
Mobilizing scientists
BEACONS of PE
Museums and science centres
PUS dedicated organisations and initiatives
What reports about science eduction have been made?
2012 and 2014 reports by CBI (Confederation of British Industry):
42% of employers find difficultly in recruiting STEM-proficient staff
> one-third of employers said qualifications by applicants did not equip them adequately for STEM roles
Government report 2018 “Delivering STEM for the economy”
How important is STEM jobs in the UK?
- 5.8 million people are employed in STEM based jobs = 20% of workforce
- The UK economy employs approximately 30 million people of whom 5.8 million people are employed in STEM-based occupations, around 20% of the total workforce. This figure excludes others involved in STEM-related occupations, such as doctors, nurses or those teaching STEM subjects from early years to university level.
2012 and 2014 reports by CBI (Confederation of British Industry): Findings
In 2012 and 2014 the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reported that 42% of employers currently experience difficulties in recruiting STEM-proficient staff, at all levels of expertise, from apprentices to post-graduates. Over a third of employers also felt that the content of qualifications held by applicants for STEM roles did not equip them adequately for work
A 2012 House of Lords inquiry found that “the level at which [mathematics] is taught does not meet the requirements needed to study STEM at undergraduate level”, and recommended that continued mathematical study remain compulsory post-16; a proposal widely supported in the STEM community and under consideration by DfE
Recognises that students won’t go on to do science
Give enough scientific literacy for things like quality of life and assessment of risk
Offers pathways in science education which shows people what science is for but does not give them hard-core facts and equipping them to the same extent, as a result, people leave with wide scientific literacy but not high quality scientific understanding
Government report 2018 “Delivering STEM for the economy”
suggestions
Government report estimates that, in 2015, employers in England experienced around 2.7 million STEM recruitment
shortages and they expected around 1.5 million in 2018
Existing evidence indicates that there is a STEM skills mismatch rather than a simple shortage.
Every member of the public should go through a structured education system
Government report – show huge shortages
Mass exodus of highly skilled scientists
Mismatch shortages – but not right across the board, some areas where there is a mismatch
‘recruiting the right students to science’
Many more routes through the school education system – more students choosing science as the softer options – not straight physics or chemistry (intensive single science subjects)
‘recruiting the right teachers’
Crisis in teaching across the board
Good at science – there are much higher salaries available – best scientists not going into science
Quarter of physics teachers do not have a background in physics
TeachFirst – higher starting salaries, with an intensive management program to try and retain some of the high performers – criticism that they might not have the passion if money and management draws them in
‘reduced taxonomic and field skills’
- Number of studies that show outdoor field study, taxonomy ect have decreased over the past two decades in UK schools
- Because there is a starting skills gap in the pupils themselves, having the skills to do things
- Restrictive curriculum
- High-risk assessment element
- Resultant in a decline in those types of skills
- Even in uni, hard to argue for field weeks
What is Enthuse?
National Science Learning Network and Project ENTHUSE
The single largest provider of STEM-specific professional development for teachers and support staff in schools in the UK is the National Science Learning Network. The network comprises the National STEM Learning Centre in York – a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility providing laboratory facilities and residential training opportunities – along with a network of Science Learning Partnerships across England, with other third-party partnerships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The network, supported by a range of funders including Project ENTHUSE, provides subject-specific training and support to over 15,000 teachers and other staff each year. It does this through a range of routes including ENTHUSE-bursary supported residential training at York, local training and networks including after-school ‘twilight’ sessions, in-school intensive support, development of school partnership projects, and online CPD.
What is NCETM?
The National Centre for Excellence in the teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) works to ensure that all teachers of maths, including all primary school teachers and non-specialist maths teachers, have easy access to high-quality, evidence-based maths-specific CPD at every point of their careers.
What schemes are put in place to aid STEM education ?
“Science and Innovation Investment Framework”
- High-level STEM strategy group
- Core Delivery Network:
- National: NSLC, NCETM
- Project ENTHUSE
- Regional: Science Learning Centres, Regional Hubs
- Local: STEMNET, EBP
- See
- (Feb 2011) Royal Society State of the Nation report on science education in 16-19-year-olds.
- http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/
- Morgan and Kirby, 2016. The UK STEM Education Landscape. Report from the Royal Academy of Engineering Education and Skills Committee
- Government report 2018 “Delivering STEM for the economy”
Mention teaching in America.
- America – each state has its own board – varies enormously between states
- Strong religious belief teach evolution alongside creationism
- State board that decided the texts could be very easily swayed by trivial advertising
What public outreach is offered at the DOVE?
- Teach 3000 pupils a year
- Offer CPD training for teachers in fieldwork and taxonomy
- Program of ecology classes for school kids
- Delve deeper – 6-month course in marine biology remotely
What is the impact of technology on science communication?
Rapidly developing technologies allows two-way participation and access to science directly
What are the conflicts between science and the media?
- Disparity between scientific communication – rigorous and detailed proof
- Science is a painstakingly slow process - journalism wants it to happen yesterday
- Scientific language is cautious – mass media want black and white
- Science is done over long periods of time – big and dramatic
- Science is full of jargon
