There’s nothing like a space-race development to excite people about science.
Over the last week we’ve seen sci-fi-style news headlines about a fridge-sized robot making the first landing on a comet.
It was like something from a real life version of blockbuster film Armageddon, and this amazing bit of technology was built in the UK.
I bet it was a hot topic in many a science class in our schools and I hope it’s helping to inspire youngsters.
Because goodness knows they need a bit of inspiration.
Science education in schools certainly doesn’t seem to be at the top of its game when it comes to spurring kids on right now.
I was absolutely gobsmacked to read a recent report about the lack of investment in science education in Scotland.
The Learned Societies Group on Scottish Science Education surveyed teachers across 85 primary and secondary schools and some of the results, released just days ago, were frankly embarrassing.
It showed Scotland’s kids aren’t being given the science equipment they need.
In fact it revealed a whopping 25 per cent LESS is spent on science education north of the border.
For our many dedicated teachers who want to nurture young talent it must be a frustrating state of affairs.
Let’s start with primary schools. The foundation of youngsters’ education.
Almost half of schools felt science funding wasn’t satisfactory and a majority said they didn’t have enough equipment in working order.
We are hardly going to stimulate bright young minds if they don’t even have access to kit that works.
Practically all of the primary schools admitted they use additional funding sources for practical activities – and if you’re a parent you won’t be surprised to hear YOU are the key funder of extra-curricular activities.
Then there are secondary schools, where kids get the chance to really get their teeth into science and can branch out to focus on chemistry, biology or physics.
Things must be better there, right? Wrong.
A massive 98 per cent of secondary schools also admitted they drew on additional funding sources.
And the most shameful bit of all – teachers are even using their own money to carry out normal curricular activities. That’s a disgrace.
Although I take my hat off to the teachers who’ve been willing to do this because they want the best for their pupils.
These are just a handful of the report’s findings and it paints a bleak picture of science education in our schools. There’s clearly a need to spend more on lessons.
It’s a tricky one because, as we all know, local authority budgets are under ever-increasing pressure.
Their fixed budgets would mean robbing Peter to pay Paul – putting money into science teaching would most likely mean taking it away from somewhere else.
Despite these challenges I hope the figures still serve as a wake-up call and encourage the powers that be to explore ways to channel more money into science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Look at Scotland’s past for a moment – think of the huge number of home grown scientists we have to be proud of.
Where would we be without Edinburgh’s John Napier, inventor of the logarithm, or Ayrshire’s Alexander Fleming who changed the face of medicine with his discovery of penicillin?
Physics wouldn’t be the same without Glasgow-raised Lord Kelvin and his ‘Kelvin’ temperature scale, nor Edinburgh’s James Clerk Maxwell whose theories were essential in developing TVs, radios and mobile phones. He was even said to have influenced Einstein.
Then there’s the founder of modern geology, Edinburgh’s James Hutton, and the pioneer of radar technology, Brechin’s Robert Watson Watt.
I could go on but there simply aren’t enough column inches.
I just think it would be a real shame if truly world-changing Scottish scientists are only found in our history books – we should be doing all we can to foster new talent and encourage the next generation of great minds.
After Medals, We’re Game On for Future
The news we’ve all been waiting for finally hit the headlines last week as it was revealed that the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games has led to an additional £282m worth of tourism.
The staggering figure should quiet any accusations that our home Games rolled in and out of the city, leaving little by way of a legacy for the people of Scotland.
Official research found that 690,000 people travelled to Glasgow to attend the games, with local hotels reaching occupancy rates of 95 per cent.
Visitors reportedly stayed for an average of five days in the country, meaning other parts of Scotland also saw the benefit of the huge multisport event.
As the Games drew to a close everyone’s thoughts – including mine – turned to what kind of lasting impact would be left come August 4th.
Glasgow residents had been promised an economic and social boost long before the Games even began, with the deprived East End particularly looking forward to a more prosperous profile and outlook.
It goes without saying that thousands of jobs were created – leaving people with skills and experience they will never lose. There’s no denying the event was an enormous success.
The city has been given a facelift, its reputation has been bolstered and international status transformed.
What’s important now is ensuring people continue to benefit in the long-term. Are individuals taking a keener interest in sport, fitness and health? Is there a greater sense of community? Does the future look any brighter?
I want to see Scots continuing to benefit from the major investment in infrastructure we saw in the run-up to the Games.
The figures look good – no doubt about that. We’ve collected the medals. Now let’s work hard to keep the shine on our dear green place.
It Made Me Laugh: Ignore It, You Silly Burgers
I couldn’t help but laugh last week reading reports slamming the calorific Double Donut burger being sold by a British pub chain.
Academics blasted the ultimate in junk food indulgence, dubbing the burger “irresponsible” and “unnecessary.”
The burger – featuring glazed donuts instead of a bun and containing almost 2,000 calories – would not be my first choice but I’m not in such a rush to take the bait and slam it.
Why? Because it’s clearly a PR stunt that’s gone to plan.
I’m almost certain that the “shocking” snack was intended to be just that – an attention-grabbing gimmick designed to provoke a reaction and secure maximum exposure for the pub chain.
Anyone who is genuinely appalled and doesn’t want this snack to be publicised would be better off biting their tongues instead of fuelling the publicity.
It Made Me Weep: Pulling on Heartstrings
For many, last week signalled the official arrival of Christmas with the festive adverts of several major retailers being released.
John Lewis rolled out another cracker with the adorable Monty the Penguin, while Sainsbury’s upped the ante with a heart-warming account of a rare truce in the trenches on Christmas Day during the First World War.
I have to admit I did feel my heartstrings being tugged a bit!
It seems to have been only in the last few years that retailers have really tapped into the emotion factor when it comes to making sales in the season of goodwill.
The iconic ads are an annual signal that Mr Kringle is on his way, and more importantly for retailers, signal the start of the Christmas rush as the ads inevitably go viral.
