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Better Science Education

The need for better science education and more general interest in science and technology has become a truism these days. Like most truisms, there appears to be far more talk about it than practical action undertaken.

There are some exceptions to this -- ICI has a strong teacher-industry link programme set up, BP has their entertaining and educational Technology Challenge, and ECNZ has shown strong support for the Science Fairs and other educational initiatives.

I was pleased when Bayer New Zealand joined this select group with the announcement of a $50,000 science sponsorship to go to ten selected schools for science equipment. I was even more pleased recently to see my old school on the list.

I well remember spending a number of physics classes carefully trimming down oversized ticker-timer tape, and missing out on a third of the syllabus in applied maths because of the lack of equipment.

While part of the problem was lack of funds, there was also the idea that science wasn't really a fit subject for young ladies, except if you intended to become a nurse. I horrified the headmistress one year by announcing my intention of becoming a pathologist -- definitely not appropriate. A later decision to pursue astrophysics met with blank looks and the suggestion that perhaps I would like to consider teaching?

For five years, I was the school's sole entrant in the local science exhibition, and that was done on the sly. Looking back now, it's rather sad to recall the guilty furtiveness involved. It's also sad that there remains a certain degree of bitterness both in myself and amongst other classmates at the minimal equipment and support we had.

With some of my friends, this had a major effect on university careers, and hence on job prospects and, eventually, on the whole course and tenor of their lives.

This wasn't too long ago, but obviously times have changed for the better. While lack of funds is a perennial problem, corporate efforts like Bayer's can make an important difference. It's the difference between deploring a situation and doing something about it.

Vicki Hyde is the editor of New Zealand Science Monthly.