Role models are all very well if you are interested in the role.
However, if rather than trying to seduce young people into careers as
scientists one is simply trying to get them to study science a bit
longer or to leave school with an appreciation of what science has to
offer then a role model, however young ( and they are probably still
going to be at least 10 years older than their audience) is not, maybe,
what is required.
Philip Connolly
Director, Coalition for Medical Progress
Hamilton House
Mabledon Place
London
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w: www.medicalprogress.org
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on the public understanding of science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Laura Grant
Sent: Monday, March 07, 2005 9:25 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Inspirational quotes (originally)
Hi
As a 'role model' (I always find that term somewhat dubious when applied
to
myself) for the New Outlooks in Science and Engineering (NOISE) scheme
funded by EPSRC I'm part of a team of 20 or so young scientists who aim
to promote science careers to young people, specifically 14-19
year-olds.
The idea is that as people who are relatively early on in our careers,
we can give young people an idea about the kind of work they may be
involved in in 5-10 years if they choose a career in science or
engineering. Hopefully this makes us more accessible than older and more
accomplished ambassadors whose knowledge and achievements are more
impressive!
In my experience it has worked pretty well - perhaps because we fall
outside the age range of parents or (most) teachers, and are probably a
similar age to role models young people look to in other areas of their
lives.
Having said that, I'm not sure if NOISE will kick me out if/when I get
too old... Have to wait and see I guess
Laura
--On 06 March 2005 12:14 +0000 Robert Whittle <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> The idea that younger communicators of science may be better received
> by even younger publics is familiar yet fascinating to dissect. I too
> would be interested in evidence that might tell us more about this. I
> remember being allowed off the campus as an 'ambassador' to visit
> schools when I was younger. But surely there is a paradox here?
> 'Knowledge' grows by accretion and challenge, and is evidence-based.
> Much of it does not age yet we are wondering whether and why the
> messengers have to look young. Role models that do not age, or are we
> talking only about the packaging? There are surely some valuable
> attributes that show positive correlation or none with a person's
> age?
>
> from a Research (i.e. retired) Reader in Genetics.
> Robert Whittle
> http://www.zenadsl5348.zen.co.uk/
> http://www.meta-art.info
>
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Laura Grant
Science Communication Unit
Department of Physics
University of Liverpool
Liverpool L69 7ZE
T: 0151 794 6795
M: 07870 243931
F: 0151 794 3444
E: [log in to unmask]
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