This in from Faye Genn on behalf of BAE Systems, in their own words. Ed
The Roadshow’s arrival on the Island follows recent research by BAE Systems and the RAF which reveals that British children would rather have a science career than be famous. Just three per cent of children want to be on TV compared with almost half (44 per cent) who want to pursue science-based careers including a computer game designer (15 per cent), a scientist (12 per cent) and a pilot (six per cent).
YouGov asked 1,000 parents of school-age children about their children’s career ambitions and attitudes towards school subjects and reveals that other popular career choices where science is needed include doctor (nine per cent), inventor (seven per cent), architect (six per cent), forensic scientist (five per cent) and astronaut (four per cent).
Challenging perceptions
For 2014 the BAE Systems annual Roadshow, together with the Royal Air Force, will challenge young people’s perceptions about physics and how it relates to the real world.
The Roadshow has an Olympic theme with the live theatre performance examining how physics led to medal-winning performances by Team GB athletes.
Students enjoyed the performance and took part in interactive workshops, with the aim of inspiring them to learn more about how school subjects, and specifically physics, play an active role in the world around them.
Despite children’s science-based ambitions, unfortunately the research revealed that a quarter of children (24 per cent) find physics a difficult subject to learn with 24 per cent saying it’s “too much like hard work.”
Seven Island schools took part
After spending a week on the Isle of Wight visiting Ryde Academy, Cowes Enterprise College, Medina College, Christ the King College, Sandown Bay Academy, Newchurch Primary School and Carisbrooke College, the Roadshow will be moving on to other schools in the UK.
Visiting over 350 schools and engaging over 35,000 young people in total. Since it was founded in 2005 the Roadshow has benefited 170,000 primary and secondary school students with many going on to seek careers in science and engineering.
Nigel Whitehead, Group Managing Director at BAE Systems said:
“Quite simply the UK needs more people to study physics. We’ve got to do more to link up the most exciting careers – like being a pilot – with physics. The subject opens up opportunities to so many careers but there is no doubt that it does get difficult. This is where industry and organisations like the Royal Air Force can help teachers show the application of physics in the real-world and encourage young people to keep studying.”
