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UK Minority Students Encouraged to Get More Science Knowledge

Posted on: Wednesday, 15 March 2006, 09:00 CST

UK minority students encouraged to get more science knowledge

March 14 (Xinhua) -- The British government has unveiled an innovative program aimed at encouraging secondary school students from black and ethnic minority backgrounds to become more involved in science and maths.

Barry Gardiner, Minister of Competitiveness at the British Department of Trade and Industry, announced on Tuesday that 37 schools around the UK have been awarded more than 866,000 pounds to set up their projects, which are aimed at boosting students' interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Whether using model trains to discover the importance of maths in everyday life, taking part in national robot competitions or learning about DNA and how it is used to catch criminals, schools around the UK have developed a range of highly creative extra- curricula projects. The government has allocated 1.5 million pounds over three years to the program. "This government recognizes that our success in science is crucial to our future prosperity and we are determined to develop a scientific workforce that is representative of the society it serves," said Gardiner.

He said that the Government invited schools with a high proportion of Afro-Caribbean, Bangladeshi and Pakistani students to bid for funding and it has been thrilled with the response.

Gardiner launched the program as part of a National Science Week, which is coordinated by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, funded by the DTI and sponsored by BP and the Economic and Social Research Council.

The National Science Week takes place from March 10 to 19. This year, about 1,500 events have been planned throughout the UK and more than 500,000 people are expected to take part.

Source: Xinhua News Agency - CEIS

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