Barry Smith - Learning about Learning

I was fortunate enough to attend a meeting chaired by Sandy Paton of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce today, to discuss work experience for S5/6 youngsters in businesses who employ Maths and Science graduates. The idea is to give prospective University students a ‘taste’ of the types of companies and jobs that they could potentially be employed by on leaving University having gained a degree in Maths or Sciences. This will, it is hoped, in turn have the knock on effect of encouraging more youngsters to follow a Science or Maths course at University.

The businesses involved obviously have a vested interest in turning out many high calibre Maths and Science graduates to fill vacancies that they project they will have in the next 5 to ten years, but I have to say that I’m delighted that successful businesses (Oracle were represented today and already working with 40 Scottish educational institutions) are beginning to work with schools and colleges in partnership to provide meaningful opportunities and experiences for our young people.

I think educators inevitably feel a note of caution when business plays the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility card’, but the reality that we are living is that opportnities for providing such high quality experiences for youngsters in ‘higher end’ businesses are limited at present and they are, in my view, an untapped resource. I am looking forward to seeing where the pilot scheme leads.

The thought also struck me today that the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce may be an excellent place to find a host organisation for my SQH comparitive study. I will be following that lead up with vigour too!

Tomorrow the school are having a 5km walk around Prestonpans that every youngster in the school will be involved in. It is a real community event with students, teachers, parents, the local Rotary, the Police and others involved. It has been organised with military precision by our HE department and they deserve enormous praise for their efforts, not least for getting us all off classes for the day!

After that it’s out for a meal with colleagues, a couple of ginger beer and limes and then October holidays and SQH mania start in earnest.