Britain's brightest science experts address the future of science education in a new report

20 April 2010

A new report addressing the current state and future of science education is to be launched at 10:30am 20 April 2010 at Holborn Bars, 138 - 142 Holborn, London, EC1N 2NQ, following 'The National Science Symposium – Are we serious about science?' held on 16 March 2010.

Key stakeholders in the wider science community, including representatives from the Association of Science Education, the Wellcome Trust, the British Science Association and the Royal Society of Chemistry, amongst others, were invited by the AQA exam board to attend the symposium to discuss the issues impacting on the future of science teaching and learning.

The subsequent report is being issued at a time of great change in science education and qualifications, and there were many different and strongly held views expressed during the symposium. Participants debated whether science education is giving society the knowledge to make important decisions on issues such as medical treatment, whether practical work is under threat and whether there is equivalence between different science qualifications.

Bill Alexander, director, Curriculum and Assessment Division, AQA said: "The great challenge ahead is to ensure that young people take the most suitable qualification for their academic and professional future if they want a career in science. Many are at risk of closing down their options too soon which is a real problem in view of how frequently career paths now change.

“It is also vital that employers and universities can rely upon a qualification to indicate a student’s ability and skills. Ofqual has said that science is a subject that is "high risk" and those involved in science education must now take care to listen to the views of teachers, professors and industry professionals."

The equivalence between traditional GCSE science and the newer vocational qualifications prompted some of the fiercest debate amongst the participants of the symposium. Far from everyone was convinced that the same grade in the different qualifications could indicate the same level of ability to an employer or higher education institution. There was also a wide range of opinions about whether the different qualifications currently available can, or should, enable all students to achieve a C grade.

Concern was expressed from professionals in industry, that young people may have their options for further study and certain career paths drastically reduced by taking the wrong route in qualifications at Key Stage 4. Others strongly disagreed, saying that a more practical, vocational and coursework based qualification best met the needs of disadvantaged students. Participants also discussed a number of threats to practicals in science education, including poor facilities, a demanding curriculum and inadequately educated support staff.

The symposium and subsequent report outlined many of the major issues in science education today. The level of opposing opinion suggests that science education will have to meet several challenges as it changes to meet the needs of higher education, industry and society.

A copy of the report can be viewed at
http://www.dodsmonitoring.com/downloads//Misc_Files/AQA_ScienceReport.pdf

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