CONCERN has been growing about the falling number of students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem).
Throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK, colleges and universities are struggling to recruit suitably prepared and interested students into these vital areas, and the lack of graduates entering the job market is having a detrimental effect on a wi
de range of industries.
Within this situation, Stow College in Glasgow has emerged as proof that students are still interested in the Stem subjects, if the course if right. Against the national and international trend, applications to advanced science courses are steadily growing, with almost all available courses full to capacity. This success is so notable that senior staff members travelled to New York earlier this week, to speak at the 2008 World Congress and International Association of Colleges Conference. It was a fantastic opportunity to share experiences with international colleagues who face similar educational challenges.
As a key member of the Stem-Ed Scotland Group, based at Glasgow University, Stow has been working closely with partners in government, industry and universities to tackle the issue. The group has established that the current approach to teaching Stem subjects is comprehensive and robust, but it distorts what is seen as important to learn, focuses on taught facts and procedures, and is too assessment-driven, cumbersome and excessive. The findings suggest the curriculum needs reform to focus more on skills, and involve testing of the application of key ideas and approaches.
At the conference, Stow highlighted that, in contrast to mainstream current provision, a Stem curriculum must bring the subject to life, addressing contemporary issues, particularly those receiving media attention. There needs to be more engagement between learning institutions and employers, and professional development for teachers.
Within this context, the college role is incredibly important. Colleges have a key role to play in working directly with students, with industry and with schools. In terms of students, colleges can "rescue" those that have disengaged with school-taught science subjects and reintroduce them to the sciences. When it comes to industry, colleges engage with employers and ensure the courses on offer are tailored to their business needs. When it comes to schools, colleges can support them through changing their teaching of science and engineering, collaborate to provide a portion of their mainstream delivery and offer professional development for teachers.
All the courses offered by the science and health department at Stow College have been closely developed in consultation with employers, universities, the Scottish Qualifications Authority and students themselves. In particular, the college's close links with local universities mean students have good progression routes to degree-level courses, and close links with employers mean courses are relevant and practical. We are offering students what they want: attractive, relevant courses with tangible prospects upon graduation.
One example is the higher national certificate in diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy, which helps radiography assistants to "up-skill". Three groups immediately benefit from this new qualification: the students now have a career path where previously there was none; busy hospital radiography departments will be able to ease pressure on staff when the assistants qualify, and waiting times for patients will be reduced as a result.
It has been reassuring to learn at this week's conference that some of the solutions proposed here in Scotland by Stow College to the problem of recruiting students into Stem subjects are being noted on an international scale.
However, there is still much work to be done by Scotland's colleges, the education sector more broadly and industry itself. If we really are to see Scotland developing into the healthier, wealthier, greener and smarter nation envisaged by the Scottish Government, then encouraging more of our young people to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering or maths is absolutely essential.
• Calyn McNab is head of the science and health department at Stow College, in Glasgow.
The full article contains 656 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
