• Question: Evaluate the reasons why scientists encourage the younger population to aspire into science, such as this very website?

    Asked by bones to Jamie, Jodie, Kat, Mark, Niamh on 24 Mar 2011 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Niamh Nic Daeid

      Niamh Nic Daeid answered on 16 Mar 2011:

      Hi Bones

      I think I might have given you a hint in some of my earlier answers… science helps to understand the world around you but also to develop new technologies and ways of improving how we live our lives and interact with our world. The involvement and enthusiasm of the younger population is really important to keep developing our knowledge in future generations.

    • Photo: Jamie Pringle

      Jamie Pringle answered on 16 Mar 2011:

      Hi bones,

      We all need replacing with newer models!

      But seriously, there is a real shortage of young scientists and both the UK and the world will suffer, both economically, environmentally, etc. I dont know why secondary schools turn off students to science, primary school children are really keen on science.

      Can you shed any light on this?

    • Photo: Mark Hill

      Mark Hill answered on 17 Mar 2011:

      Hi Bones, Passion for their subject. I am passionate about my job and thoroughly enjoy explaining my role to those that are interested.

      I believe that, if science is going to progress, in all its many disciplines, then the younger generation need to be enthused and inspired by us older members of the scientific world, to pursue their interests and a career in science.

      I enjoy the moment when the ‘penny drops’ with students, when they see how ‘boring’ maths and physics has a practical application, for example, in reconstructing collisions and working out vehicle seeps etc..

      The more interest that people show, the more I am enthused to explain my role. I am merely a police officer, who has a keen interest in science and crash investigation, but for whom I believe that I have found a strength.

      Lecturing and giving demonstrations of my job is all important to capture young peoples interst in science, at a time when they are making big career decisions.

      Mark

    • Photo: Jodie Dunnett

      Jodie Dunnett answered on 23 Mar 2011:

      I think that it is very important to engage young people in science. Scientific subjects play such a massive role in our every day life (not just in forensic science) that we cannot afford to “run out” of people studying these subjects as we need them for the future.

    • Photo: Katherine Davies

      Katherine Davies answered on 24 Mar 2011:

      Hi

      Passing on scientific knowledge is vital. Can you imagine a world without science? Look around you and see if you can find something that doesnt involve science? If we dont inspire young people to get involved and excited about science, scientific, medical and technological advances would stop and the human race wouldnt develop or possibly even survive.

      Think of all the crimes that wouldn’t be solved if fingerprinting analysis was not developed!

      This website is ingenious – what other opportunities are there for students to speak to an experienced scientist, and realise we are real people, with normal lives, who are not aliens!! And what we do does make a difference, and students can do it and reach their potential too.

Comments

  • Photo: bones

    bones commented on :

    Hi, well, I think many students are being given loads of theory lessons with 2 ‘practical’ lessons in a term. However, one of my friends troyboy2, really wants to be a science teacher. There are some teachers who try to have 1-2 practicals a week. I think the money should be going to interest students or continue important work (like you Jamie). However, I believe it’s more about the scientists work and how much they are ready to learn and think about themselves from a younger perspective.

    • Photo: Jamie

      Jamie commented on :

      Thanks bones! yes, I guess you dont do as much practicals as you like. That’s something Im particularly keen on at University, so when we do a session on GPR, I’ll give them a short into on how it works and what it is used for, then get the students to use the equipment – they tend to remember it more that way!

  • Photo: bones

    bones commented on :

    I myself believe as students gain age, the lessons are more listening/theories, than interactive and doing.
    I think this website is really good for reeling secondary school children back into science and if allowed, primary schools could be more interactive with science. After some time, this step will give older students more into science after having this website from the beginning of secondary school (of course different departments…)

    • Photo: Jamie

      Jamie commented on :

      I hope so. I dont know how long it has been going for but several years at least, gleaning that info from the moderators. Get your science teachers to check out the FreshScience website – that provides data for secondary schools to get hold off and integrate into their lessons – i have several case studies on graveyard cases that I have worked on for example.