University looking for future brains of the science sector

Annabel Williams • Published 30 Oct 2008 06:00 1 Comment

THE next generation of scientists and engineers are being nurtured in schools across Reading thanks to a new outreach project.

The University of Reading has been chosen as the Berkshire base for two Stemnet - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - schemes, both aimed at getting more youngsters interested in the subjects and working in related jobs when they are older.

The university will manage volunteer science and engineering ambassadors from within its own staff and from businesses both large and small, to arrange at least one visit to all Berkshire's secondary and primary schools.

Ambassadors come from a broad spectrum of disciplines and careers at all levels, from marine biologists to mathematicians studying climate change, aeronautical engineering apprentices to medical physicists, and industrial chemists to electrical engineers.

The establishment will also work with Little Heath School in Tilehurst, which has specialist science and maths status, to provide a recognised and trusted hub for schools to contact for support in science, technology, engineering and maths-related subjects.

Stemnet was set up in 1996 and is now funded by the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department of Children, Schools and Families.

Professor Averil Macdonald, the university's science communication chairwoman, said: "We are delighted to have been chosen to lead this project in Berkshire.

"With our renowned expertise in communicating science, we are ideally positioned to encourage more young people to choose science.

"We will only be in a position to solve the global problems of climate change, dwindling energy resources, the need for more food and to make progress in diagnosing and treating disease if we inspire our young people to consider science as a career.

"Our student ambassadors scheme already sends undergraduates and postgraduate students into many schools in and around Reading to talk about science at university.

"We hope the Stemnet programme will build on that foundation and help deliver a new generation of British scientists."

Tweet

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 30 Oct 08

Post a comment

Your Comment:

Registered users log in here

Username or email

Password

If you are registered with us, you can login here. If you are not registered, do so now.
Once logged in you wont have to complete word verification each time you post.

Prefer not to register?

Screen Name *required

Email (not displayed) *required

Usernames must be 4 - 20 characters. Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users can also take part in competitions and other features of the site.

Word Verification:
Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @rdgchronicle