There’s a huge drive at the moment to encourage some of the subjects of the future – Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (or STEM) – and a particular push to get girls to continue with these topics to A level and beyond. It was good to see Emma McCarthy, a former Brentwood School pupil, in Westminster recently at the “STEM for Britain” event. Emma, who is studying for her PhD in Birmingham, was there to display her work on the influence of cobalt ions on collagen matrix formation and the corresponding cellular response.
(No, I don’t know either.)
Now I’m an historian through and through, but I am very glad there are various initiatives and events to inspire more young people, particularly girls, into the industries which need STEM subjects.
£177 million was made available in last year’s Autumn budget for maths teaching, including £27 million to expand the successful Teaching for Mastery maths programme into a further 3,000 schools. £80 million will also be made available to reward schools and colleges who support their students to study maths beyond GCSE.
With 2018 being the Year of Engineering there is a cross-government campaign to raise the profile of engineering amongst 7 to 16 year olds and widen the pool of young people who might consider engineering as a career.
The Government is working with hundreds of industry partners to raise the profile of engineering among young people, their parents and their teachers. This will include offering at least a million direct experiences of engineering to young people from all backgrounds – from behind the scenes tours and family days out, to school visits and the chance to meet engineering role models.
More than 1000 partners have signed up to support the Year of Engineering, including Siemens, the Science Museum Group, Ocado, Usborne, BAE Systems and Crossrail. Teaming up with partners from many different sectors, the Government will deliver a year of UK-wide school visits, exhibitions and open doors events – all aimed at encouraging young people and their parents to take a closer look at engineering. If you run or work for a business that would like to be involved please get in touch with me at www.alexburghart.org.uk