The Chief Science Advisor’s report on school science education raises crucial issues for New Zealand’s future prosperity, says BusinessNZ.
Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly says high-tech manufacturing, businesses based on life sciences and innovation in business generally all depend on large numbers of students studying science at higher levels.
“New approaches are needed to get science to the forefront,” Mr O’Reilly said.
“Sir Peter Gluckman’s report Science Education for the 21st Century highlights the fact that while many New Zealand students perform well in science, we also have a long tail of underachievement in that subject. It is essential that more students progress on to senior science at high school and beyond.”
The report suggests new ways of teachers and scientists working together including partnerships between schools and the scientific community.
Suggestions for coping with the challenge of rapid change in science include more use of broadband, teacher sabbaticals in research laboratories and more use of science centres and science hubs.
The report also suggests science champions in schools to help inspire young people and more attention to the status of science teachers to retain key skills in teaching staff.
“This analysis of challenges and opportunities in science education is extremely timely and deserves close attention and debate by decision makers in science, education and business,” Mr O’Reilly said.
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