ESRC: £3 million investment for future of science and mathematics education

Monday, 12 May 2008 12:00 AM

Ever increasingly, the future of the UK relies on a knowledge-based economy with career opportunities in new technologies and innovative businesses rapidly replacing our more traditional industries. Yet, less and less young people are taking up places on degree courses in Mathematics and Science based subjects that will be vital to them if they want to work in these new industries.

As part of a commitment to find new ways to encourage children and young people to greater achievement and understanding of Science and Mathematics related subjects, the Economic & Social Research Council, in partnership with other Research Councils, the Institute of Physics, Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Gatsby Foundation will be investing £3 million to fund 5 projects across the UK.

The projects will also be supported by various other organisations, including the Association for Science Education.

Focusing across the secondary school age range, these projects will consider issues such as the use of a range of different media within classrooms, curriculum reform, classroom organisation and assessment methods, and look to develop effective interventions to enhance student engagement.

The five projects being funded are from:

. Kings College, Education & Professional Studies Department - two projects
. Institute of Education, Mathematics Science and Technology Department
. University of Leeds, School of Education
. University of Cambridge, Faculty of Education

The importance of these areas was recently highlighted in "The Race to the Top" a review of the Government's Science & Innovation policies by Lord Sainsbury in October 2007 who highlighted the importance of a continuing flow of talented students into STEM subjects. The report promoted the need for society to be enthused and excited by science, where science is understood and its value recognised. A key message was the need to drive up the supply of highly trained scientists and engineers.

The original call for proposals was issued in January 2007, following consultation with key organisations and experts in the field and follows the identification of science and mathematics as a key area for support within the ESRC's 'Education for Life' priority.

Professor Ian Diamond, Chief Executive of the ESRC, commented: "I am delighted at this announcement and the opportunity that this co-funding initiative will bring. The successful projects will make a significant impact on a range of policy and practices for science and mathematics learning."

ESRC Press Office:

Kelly Barnett (Tel: 01793 413032 / 07826874166, email: kelly.barnett@esrc.ac.uk)
Danielle Moore (Tel: 01793 413122, email: danielle.moore@esrc.ac.uk) ">

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. Successful projects:
Two from the Education & Professional Studies Department at Kings College, London were successful. Leading one project will be Dr Jeremy Hodgen, focusing on increasing student competence and confidence in Algebra and Multiplicative Reasoning for Key Stage 3. The second project run by Professor Jonathan Osborne will concentrate on science aspirations and career choice for 10-14 year olds.

Professor Michael Reiss of the Mathematics Science and Technology Dept at the Institute of Education will undertake a project to understand the reasons why so few students choose to study Mathematics and Physics at University.

In September 2006, the Key Stage 4 science curriculum changed significantly. Dr James Ryder of the School of Education at the University of Leeds will undertake a review of these changes to assist evaluation of the impact of these changes.

The Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge will be looking at improving student engagement and learning in physical science and mathematics in early secondary education. This project will be led by Professor Kenneth Ruthven.

The initiative is focused around addressing a number of key research challenges relating to science/mathematics and will address the one or more of four research questions outlined in the original call for proposals.

2. Four research questions to be addressed by the successful projects are:
¿ What are the key factors that shape patterns of participation, engagement and achievement in science and/or mathematics education by children and young people and what does this tell us about the kinds of intervention that are likely to have greatest impact on participation, engagement and achievement?
¿ What can we learn from the effectiveness of past and current interventions, initiatives and practice to inform the design and development of more effective interventions, initiatives and practice?
¿ How can research-informed approaches help to address some of the key challenges in enhancing participation, engagement and achievement in science/mathematics identified by recent research and reports?
¿ What specific new interventions or changed in policy or practice offer the greatest potential to improve participation, engagement and learning in science/mathematics and how could their potential effectiveness and feasibility be assessed more fully?

3. The Government's Science and Innovation Framework 2004-2014, published in March 2006 sets challenging targets for enhancing take-up and achievement in science and mathematics in schools and colleges. It is also relevant to other challenges such as 'Succeeding in the Global Economy' and 'Understanding Individual Behaviour' and will contribute to other strategic priorities in terms of capacity building, international collaboration, stakeholder engagement, partnership, knowledge transfer and science & society.

4. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's largest funding agency for research and postgraduate training relating to social and economic issues. It supports independent, high quality research which impacts on business, the public sector and the third sector. The ESRC's planned total expenditure in 2008/09 is £203 million. At any one time the ESRC supports over 4,000 researchers and postgraduate students in academic institutions and research policy institutes. More at http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk

5. ESRC Society Today offers free access to a broad range of social science research and presents it in a way that makes it easy to navigate and saves users valuable time. As well as bringing together all ESRC-funded research and key online resources such as the Social Science Information Gateway and the UK Data Archive, non-ESRC resources are included, for example the Office for National Statistics. The portal provides access to early findings and research summaries, as well as full texts and original datasets through integrated search facilities. More at http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk

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