Write about science heroes!
So have we moved on from the situation in the 1990s, when an IMechE survey asked the Great British Public to name an engineer, and the most popular answer was the car mechanic from Coronation Street? Another survey suggests not really.
Less than a quarter of over 1000 people contacted could name a living scientist or engineer. The figure dropped to 19% amongst women, and just 12% overall in Scotland, birthplace of some of history's greatest inventors. Older people, perhaps surprisingly, also fared badly.
The survey was commissioned to draw attention to a competition for young people in the UK, the Dan David prize for students. Entrants are asked to write about their science heroes, and the first prize is a remarkable ten thousand pounds. However, there's less than a fortnight left to enter, so if you know any 16 to 18 year old who could put together a decent 500-1000 words in that time, it'd be well worth them having a go.
Less than a quarter of over 1000 people contacted could name a living scientist or engineer. The figure dropped to 19% amongst women, and just 12% overall in Scotland, birthplace of some of history's greatest inventors. Older people, perhaps surprisingly, also fared badly.
The survey was commissioned to draw attention to a competition for young people in the UK, the Dan David prize for students. Entrants are asked to write about their science heroes, and the first prize is a remarkable ten thousand pounds. However, there's less than a fortnight left to enter, so if you know any 16 to 18 year old who could put together a decent 500-1000 words in that time, it'd be well worth them having a go.
posted by Chris on Thursday, May 12, 2005
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