National Science & Engineering Week
Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister of State for Energy
London Zoo, 08 March 2007
This is an immensely important week for the UK science and engineering community. There were no fewer than 2000 events and 660,000 participants taking part last year – reflecting a steadily increasing trend over previous years.
National Science and Engineering Week is, put simply, the UK’s biggest nationwide showcase for the exciting developments in science and engineering taking place in our country.
The very first National Science Week was launched in 1994. Since then, this celebration of science has inspired hundreds of thousands of young people to get involved in finding out about developments in science, engineering and innovation in Britain.
This year, National Science Week has been re-named National Science and Engineering Week. This is not just a superficial re-branding exercise. On the contrary, it acknowledges the immense contribution that engineering makes to society – and its importance for our future prosperity.
The BA has been working in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board. I understand that around 500 engineering-related events have been added to the programme. This is good news, the engineering community is now fully on board.
I welcome the focus on energy and climate change that I see featured in many events in the National Science and Engineering Week programme. This is the greatest global challenge faced by humankind today.
Science and technology have been critical in helping us to understand the problem and what we can do to tackle it. Innovation lies at the heart of the technological solutions, such as low carbon energy generation and efficiency carbon capture and storage, one of our solutions to the future.
As some of you will know, I recently returned from a visit to Antarctica. My visit took place on the eve of International Polar Year - a large scientific programme focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic. Antarctica is a pivotal location for exploring the science of climate change.
We know that the climate in Antarctica is changing - but further urgent scientific effort is needed to understand its contribution to climate change and rising sea level.
The British Antarctic Survey is doing vital work. I saw British science, and British scientists, at their very best. And we need to continue to produce the scientists that can continue to lead the field. Responding to the key challenges such as climate change which we face.
The Government is committed to encouraging uptake of science and engineering subjects amongst young people. Inspiring them, and giving them the chance to learn more about science and engineering. It also helps to highlight the increasing opportunities for exciting careers in science and engineering.
It is sometimes underestimated by parents and young people what excellent job prospects - and enticing financial rewards - such careers offer. But this is yet another factor which should inspire the next generation of scientists, innovators and engineers.
Despite the way it is sometimes reported, traditional science subjects remain popular A-level subjects. Biology and chemistry entries have been rising over the last few years from 44 and 32 thousand respectively in 2004 to 46 and 34 thousand in 2006.
This does not mean we should be complacent. More work undoubtedly needs to be done. And we have set ambitious targets for 2014. We aim to increase A-level entries to 35 thousand for physics; 37 thousand in chemistry and 56 thousand in mathematics.
The number of people with science, engineering and technology related degrees in the UK is also showing improvement. Since 1997 there has been an increase of 57% in the number of people with a SET related degree to a figure of just over 2 million. Again, we need to redouble our efforts.
Beyond the formal education system, the Government is committed to widening and deepening engagement with the public on issues of interest to them. For instance, the Sciencewise programme of public engagement, funded by the DTI, brings citizens together with scientists and other specialists to explore the implications of new and emerging areas of science and technology in our lives. This enables constructive, open and informed dialogue on a range of key science challenges. Stem cells and brain science are the focus of two of the current projects.
Science must no longer be regarded as some specialised, much-respected but essentially esoteric kingdom operating somewhere in the outskirts of society and the economy. Rather, it properly belongs to the very mainstream of our national life and our future. It is absolutely core to the very notion of a “knowledge” economy.
National Science and Engineering Week offers people the chance to get involved in enjoyable science-related activities. In so doing, it will help us to move towards what I might describe as a knowledge democracy. Where the public are equipped with knowledge of scientific issues and engaged with the critical issues facing our society.
This year, the DTI has committed extra funding for the Week. This is intended to get a wider range of schools – particularly those who haven’t participated previously years – organising their own activities. The indications are that there has been a strong take-up of these grants – I am delighted to say that over 300 schools were successful in securing grants. New and exciting events will be taking place across the country, inspiring teachers, pupils and parents.
I will myself be attending numerous National Science and Engineering Week events in the coming ten days. I am also looking forward – with some trepidation I confess – to the demonstration of some of the possible options for the “Nation’s Favourite Experiment” later on.
National Science and Engineering Week is a truly unique celebration of science, engineering, innovation and technology. This week offers many diverse and exciting events for people to take part in. I have no doubt that it will be a great success.
Thank you.