Science in Schools – Why Does it Matter?

With constant budget reviews, the cost of teaching every subject on the curriculum is often under scrutiny. Even the main subjects haven’t escaped. Science is a relatively expensive subject to teach, needing specialised equipment, facilities, and staff, so it is hardly surprising that the costs involved in doing so are being examined.

It is worth understanding the importance of a strong education in the science subjects. High quality of teaching, and of the equipment available for students to use in their experiments, is vital in ensuring that pupils get the most out of their science education.

Economic benefits of science

Girls Shine on BTEC STEM Courses, We Just Need Numbers to Rise.

Pearson, the organisation which awards BTEC qualifications has shared data which shows where girls participate in skills based science and technology courses they outperform their male counterparts by being more likely to achieve the top grades.

Despite this success and as per science participation in a broader context boys significantly outnumber girls on STEM BTEC courses, but figures from Pearson also show that albeit from a low base the number of girls taking BTEC qualifications in STEM subjects is increasing.

This year, girls made up 5% of students taking engineering at BTEC Level Two, taken alongside GCSEs but more than a third (37%) of these girls gained a distinction, compared with 20% of boys.

In information technology (IT), girls made up 38% of the student population at Level Two but around a third (31%) gained a distinction, compared with 21% of the boys.

Rob Bristow, president of Pearson in the UK, said: "Still too few girls make the next step in a Stem-related career by studying these subjects at university. This is something educators, business and government all need to work on and put right."

"We know STEM skills are crucial to the high skills economy we will need in the future. Too often these are seen as 'boys' subjects'; today's figures show that, when girls do sign up to these vital subjects, they flourish."

The figures also show girls are out-performing their male colleagues in science, and while more girls are choosing to study science, technology, engineering and maths  (STEM), experts have warned that low numbers were going on to study these subjects at university and to have careers in these areas.

Helen Wollaston, director of WISE, (Women into Science and Engineering) said: “These results prove that girls can do science, IT and engineering; in fact, those that choose these subjects do better than boys. At a time when UK industry is crying out for more people with STEM qualifications, we have to get more of this female talent into the workforce."