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Tomorrow's scientists support the use of 'pharm' animals but reject nuclear energy at SAC Science for Schools
Paul Smith, an S6 pupil at Ayr’s Kyle Academy, at the Science for Schools event (opens in new window)
More than 220 pupils from 23 secondary schools across Scotland supported the use of ‘pharm’ animals but rejected nuclear energy when they took part in SAC’s Science for Schools event.
The 230 S5 and S6 pupils from more than 20 schools across Scotland heard controversial topics debated by senior SAC research scientists who are experts in the fields of animal science and energy production. The young people voted on the motions before and after hearing from the scientists, to highlight how the ‘for and against’ arguments with which they were presented influenced their opinions.
The aim of Science for Schools, which is organised by SAC Learning and run in partnership with the Royal Highland Education Trust, is to enable young people on the verge of making important study and career choices to see the diverse range of ways in which science can be applied in the real world.
The motions up for debate were that it is wrong to produce ‘pharm’ animals (animals genetically modified to be sources of biopharmaceutical products not naturally produced by that species) and that it is renewable energy sources - not nuclear power - that will save our planet. A third of the pupils initially opposed the ‘pharm’ animals motion, rising to around three quarters after hearing the debate. The pupils were more decisive about nuclear energy, with the majority favouring renewable energy both before and after the debate.
In addition to the debates, the event featured stimulating talks and demonstrations designed to inspire the pupils into considering a scientific career path, including how soil analysis can help solve crime and the way in which Scottish scientific research is helping to battle disease in the developing world. Wildlife photographer and author Dr Michael Leach gave a captivating lecture on man’s closest relatives, the great apes and there was chance for teachers to learn too, in an SAC masterclass on animal behaviour.
Talking of the rationale for the event, SAC’s Dr Bill Dingwall said: “When they are at school, a young person’s idea of science can be quite narrow and they may believe it begins and ends with what can be done on a laboratory bench. SAC works with schools to help pupils understand that there is a diverse range of ways in which science can be applied in the world today and that a scientific career path can be extremely interesting and varied.
“We ask each speaker to tell the pupils about the study and career path they followed to get where they are today in order to inspire what is potentially the next generation of scientists to consider the wide ranging opportunities that a scientific career can offer, from solving crime to feeding the world’s population or fighting disease.”
Jennifer Offord, a science teacher at Cedars Schools in Greenock said: “My pupils had an excellent day and thoroughly enjoyed it. They were still debating over the issues raised in the morning when we were going home in the bus!
“They were especially inspired by Michael Leach and I think the other sessions gave them an insight into areas of science that they had not thought about before. The event has definitely given some of them a spur to look at going into science as a career and even if they don't it is still important to get them to talk and think about important scientific issues that will touch their generation.”