CaSE is active throughout the UK, and uses its limited resources to represent
science and engineering in all the constituent parts of the country.
In Northern Ireland, we produced an agenda of Science Policies for the Northern Ireland Assembly before the elections in 2003, which can be downloaded from the link on the left. Although the Assembly is currently suspended, the policies are still necessary for the enhancement of Ulster's economy.
In March 2005, we produced a summary of our view of the Future of Science in Northern Ireland, which you can download by clicking here here.
In September 2006, we met with senior figures in the Ulster Unionist Party. Read a little more about this meeting by clicking here.
In 2006, we produced an Opinion Forum on science education in Northern Ireland, which you can read by clicking here.
December 2005 - Science education in Northern Ireland
As part of our commitment to science in Northern Ireland, CaSE has a week-long
schedule of events, involving meetings with School teachers, University
Deans at both Ulster and Queen's Universities, Science Inspectors, scientists
and engineers.
Rosemary Davies, who us undertaking the work, said: "We really want to understand what is going on in science education in Northern Ireland. Education is one of CaSE's key priorities, and this series of events and meetings will allow us to campaign even more effectively for science in Ulster."
Monday 19 Dec
This morning Rosemary Davies met with Irvine Richardson, the Principal
Science Inspector for Northern Ireland. They discussed the science strategy
for Northern Ireland, which is being developed by the NI Science Education
Forum, sponsored by Astra Zeneca. It will need the backing of ministers
in order to succeed. The small size of the province means that a joined
up approach to science education is feasible, this strategy presents an
opportunity that the rest of the UK will be able to learn from.
Tuesday 20 Dec
Meeting with Deans of Science and Engineering at Queen's and Ulster
Universities revealed the barrier between school curriculum developers and
those with cutting edge science expertise. “Conflicts of opinion over
academic standards have lead to significant missed opportunities for involvement
between CCEA and university scientists” said Rosemary Davies. “With
a 50% target for university entry, Deans of Science form one of the groups with most interest in the school science curriculum. They have so much to
offer in terms of subject expertise and understanding of current career
opportunities, it is crucial that they should be involved in curriculum
development.”
Wednesday 21 Dec
Teachers from across Northern Ireland came to the W5 centre in Belfast
to contribute to CaSE's Opinion Forums on science education.
They provided CaSE with an invaluable insight into the current state of
school science, and took the meetings as an opportunity to enhance their
own professional development through interaction with colleagues.
Thursday 22 Dec
Rosemary met with educational researchers at Queens University to find
out about the new schemes in place for science graduates who want to
enter primary teaching and to find out more about their role in working
with CCEA to improve the science curriculum.
Friday 23 Dec
Martin Brown and Colin Press met with Rosemary to discuss the NISEF
strategy in more detail. She heard about their vision that this should
become the core of a strategy for all parts of the science community in
Northern Ireland.