Groundbreaking scheme aims to fire enthusiasm for science

11.58.53am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 13th Jul 2007

A pioneering new initiative to fire young people's enthusiasm for science is being launched in the borough next week.

Organisers hope it will act as a catalyst to transform pupils' attitudes to the subject and raise academic achievement. Richmond Council is teaming up with schools and a number of local partner organisations to develop this exciting, new programme. It follows the successful and ongoing Competitive Edge and Dramatic Edge programmes, which have hugely increased participation in competitive sport and drama in the borough's schools. The overriding aim is to promote and enhance the subject in the borough's schools, dramatically boosting pupils' interest and academic achievement.

Representatives from the world-famous Science Museum and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in Teddington will help launch the initiative with a day of fun and interactive workshops at Waldegrave School on Monday, 9 July. Preparations will then begin for a concerted programme of action in September when pupils return from their school holidays. Scientific Edge will be open to all state and independent schools in Richmond upon Thames, both primary and secondary. It has been launched against a backdrop of falling interest in science among secondary school pupils nationwide. It is believed greater support for schools and teachers through high-profile events and the sharing of resources will also improve the borough's GCSE results in science.

Cllr Malcolm Eady, Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Education on Richmond Council, said: "We hope Scientific Edge will excite pupils and rekindle their interest in science and technology. Unfortunately many see the subject as difficult and hard to understand and therefore lose interest. It's a national problem but one we hope to combat at a local level. A basic scientific knowledge provides us all with the key to begin to understand our world and we hope this scheme will act as a real catalyst for change and fire enthusiasm for the subject among young people. While the new science curriculum is making the subject more relevant, we need to work together with our partners to make sure we use all the resources available to support the teaching of science in schools. We are thrilled to have the Science Museum and the NPL on board and with their help and expertise and the support of our teachers, we will hold a series of events to help raise the profile of science and, of course, inspire pupils in the process."