Full colour version of the BP magazine

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Enthusiasm is infectious. It is almost impossible to resist the energy and exuberance that radiates from someone talking about a subject on which they are well-informed, and which they clearly love. You only have to think back to your school days and consider which teachers were so passionate about their topic that they sparked an interest in you. For some people, a spark turns into a flame. Indeed, there are many scientists and technologists who can trace their ardent interest back to an inspirational teacher. Yet, in recent years, there has been a decline in the number of UK students gaining qualifications in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), which, in turn, has resulted in a shortage of these skills in the workforce. This threat to the competitiveness of the UK economy has led to an unprecedented rise in the interest of government, industry and others in the successful uptake of these subjects in schools and universities. In response, the STEM Framework was established in 2007 to coordinate a wide variety of initiatives that will increase the numbers of students selecting and succeeding in STEM subjects. A vital element among these is the highly innovative Project Enthuse. Launched in July 2008, it offers teachers of pupils aged between five and 19 hugely increased access to world-class continuing professional development at the state-of- 20 Issue 1 2009 BP MAGAZINE the-art National Science Learning Centre, based in York. Through Project Enthuse, every state school in the UK can apply for an award, which covers the fees, travel and accommodation for any teacher, lecturer, teaching assistant or technician attending a course. In addition – and this makes the award truly exceptional – it also pays for the cost to schools of providing teaching cover. Furthermore, there are extra funds to help teachers implement ideas when they return to school. In short, a four-day residential course with total costs of around $3,600 per delegate, is free with an Enthuse award. The intention is that with better continuing professional development, teachers will be able to put the wonder of contemporary science and hands-on experiments back at the heart of science lessons in every school in Britain, and pupils will be sufficiently interested to continue science through to higher education. Project Enthuse is a unique, five-year partnership between the government, the Wellcome Trust and several companies. These include BP, Vodafone Group and Vodafone Group Foundation, Rolls-Royce, GlaxoSmithKline, General Electric Foundation, BAE Systems, AstraZeneca and the AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust. “As soon as we heard about Project Enthuse, we were keen to be involved. We could see that this was a step change in tackling a serious issue.” Ian Duffy
Both the government and the Wellcome Trust will give $14.5 million each to Project Enthuse, with every company providing $1.4 million. In addition, each of them will nominate a senior member of staff to join the Project Enthuse strategy board. This meets annually to discuss, among other matters, scientific ideas that should be added to the National Science Learning Centre’s curriculum. “As soon as we heard about Project Enthuse, we were keen to be involved,” says Ian Duffy, manager of BP’s UK schools education programme. “We could see that this was a step change in tackling a serious issue.” The BP Educational Service has been providing teaching aids to schools for many years, focusing particularly on STEM subjects. “This project, led by outstanding partners, enables teachers to keep abreast of their subject, gain breadth [of knowledge] and network with their peers,” explains Peter Mather, BP head of country for the UK. “The best way to inspire students is to inspire teachers. We all share a vested interest in seeing more youngsters studying science and moving into industry.” But just why is Project Enthuse needed? “The issue isn’t so much about attainment at school, as engagement,” explains Professor John Holman, director of the National Science Learning Centre, as well as National STEM director. “In terms of engagement, not enough young people are sufficiently enthused to take science at a higher level. Also, we see wide variability, with some schools being far more successful at engagement than others. These are the two major issues we have to tackle.” Specialist subjects The problem of pupils turning away from science because of the way it is taught was highlighted in Success in Science, a report published in 2008 by the UK’s Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). The reasons include a shortage of teachers in specialist subjects, such as physics and chemistry; a reduction in practical laboratory-based experimental work that most pupils love; and, perhaps most importantly of all, insufficient funds for subject-based, continuing professional development for teachers. Yet, it is vital that more young people want to study science and pursue careers in the subject. “Globally, we face huge challenges,” says Sir William Castell, » Project Enthuse Unique environment: The National Science Learning Centre was built by the Wellcome Trust to provide science teachers with an opportunity to continue their professional development. Below, Sir William Castell is the chairman of the Wellcome Trust, and a non-executive director of BP. BP MAGAZINE Issue 1 2009 21
Page 1 and 2: + 18 CLASS ACT Bringing science to
Page 3 and 4: 18 24 52 34 Ship to shore The Briti
Page 5 and 6: UK Trading up Alcohol, confectioner
Page 7 and 8: Photography> Bill Bachman BP Faces
Page 9 and 10: of the streamers. The three vessels
Page 11 and 12: SHIPSHAPE IN THE CASPIAN Amid the g
Page 13 and 14: In the mid-1990s, when told they we
Page 15 and 16: “From the very beginning, geograp
Page 17 and 18: Consequently, ACG beat its planned
Page 19: Photography> National Science Learn
Page 23 and 24: Learning Centre’s wide range of c
Page 25 and 26: Report> Lisa Davison Illustration>
Page 27 and 28: “Our reputation, and, therefore,
Page 29 and 30: Floating gem: the British Ruby midw
Page 31 and 32: Facts and figures Watchful eye: chi
Page 33 and 34: BP Shipping> Gem class All hands: A
Page 35 and 36: Doing the rounds: chief officers Pe
Page 37 and 38: All the rite notes On a cold Novemb
Page 39 and 40: BRAZIL THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY Bus
Page 41 and 42: Open arms: Rio de Janeiro’s most
Page 43 and 44: Country report> Brazil Favourite sp
Page 45 and 46: Hope abounds: in a bid to escape cr
Page 47 and 48: order to prepare for the anticipate
Page 49 and 50: CLIMATE’S CRYSTAL BALL No matter
Page 51 and 52: “Thanks to the growth in computin
Page 53 and 54: BP MAGAZINE Issue 1 2009 53
Page 55 and 56: “One of the aims of CHINA NOW was
Page 57 and 58: Top tankers British Emperor 1916-19
Page 59 and 60: The launch of the BP Energy Lab bui
Page 61 and 62: Kathy Leech, BP’s director of bra
Page 63 and 64: FAR EAST FORTUNE BP’s connections
Page 65 and 66: Above: a BP customer, and his ducks
Page 67: The next edition of BP Magazine wil

Full colour version of the BP magazine

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?