Robinson Reinforces Importance of Involving Primary Pupils in STEM Activities

East Antrim MLA Ken Robinson has welcomed the commencement of the University of Ulster's Step Up To Science programme with Primary School pupils in Belfast and Londonderry and called for its extension to schools in the East Antrim area.

Over 1,000 pupils took part in the Engaging Young Minds programme that involved the demonstration of light displays and other activities using everyday ingredients from the kitchen. Forty schools will take part in the project over the school year with lecturers helping to dispel the myth that science is boring.

Mr Robinson, a former Primary School Principal, stated, "The University's Step Up initiative has been running in secondary schools for ten years now with great success. The introduction of the Primary School Engagement Programme into their feeder primary schools will complement the activities at secondary level and hopefully encourage children to maintain an interest in science, technology, engineering and maths and ultimately consider university degrees in related areas.

"Northern Ireland has a shortage of graduates in these STEM subjects at present so forward planning to increase that number over the medium to long term will benefit our economy in the future. This has been recognised by the University of Ulster who wish to develop a regular supply of STEM subject graduates. This is part of the positive steps approach being made to encourage a greater recognition of the value of education in areas where young people would perhaps not have considered advancing to further and higher education.

Ken Robinson continued, "I would be hopeful that in any further expansion of this excellent scheme, schools in Newtownabbey, Larne and Carrickfergus would be included in both the primary and secondary projects."