Education system ‘needs to foster passion for science’

QUESTIONS about the ability of the education system to foster a passion for science were raised at a Communicating Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths (STEM) conference, this week.

More than 70 delegates attended the fifth annual conference to address the declining numbers of students taking up undergraduate programmes in science and technology despite the growing job opportunities in the sector.

In Ireland, more than 1,650 jobs have been created by the computer and technology sector since the beginning of this year.

R&D manager of Hewlett Packard’s imaging and printing group Chris Enright said Ireland is under increasing pressure to remain competitive ahead of Asian countries, including Singapore.

Government and business partnerships need to collaborate to achieve real change at national level to generate Ireland’s next generation of STEM graduates, he said.

“The excitement surrounding the development of the transistor radio needs to be reincorporated into STEM subjects in our schools. Irish students need to have a fundamental scientific understanding and a passion for science, to allow industries to have the capabilities to become business leaders,” Mr Enright said.

Director general of Engineers Ireland John Power said the subjects of the old education system are no longer fit for purpose.

“Producing sufficient maths, science and technology graduates is crucial in supporting Ireland’s economic recovery,” Mr Power said.

Discover Science and Engineering programme director Peter Brabazon said: “The reality is that the declining number of students taking up science and higher-level maths subjects is having a resulting impact on the number of skilled graduates that we are developing for a growing science and technology industry.”

Jet-Net co-ordinator for Shell André van Aperen outlined the opportunities for Ireland to copy the Dutch model and the commitment and collaboration required by both industry and government.

“Industries in Ireland must open up their doors to both primary and secondary schools to allow students gain an understanding of a working environment,” Mr van Aperen said.

“This would give students a broad sense of what a job in the area would entail and engage students and parents to make critical subject choices as early as 12 or 13 years of age.”

In 2002, the Netherlands experienced a similar decline in the number of undergraduates taking up technology and science courses, thus prompting industry to form a partnership with the Netherlands government.

Over the past nine years, €50 million has come directly from industry and a further €15m has been invested by the Netherlands government to enhance the appeal of the science curriculum.

“A similar approach could provide Irish students with a clear pathway to job opportunities in the sector,” Mr van Aperen added.