Gatsby Benchmarks
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such as climate change, antibiotic resistance
or getting everyone clean water. We’ve had
physicists for a long time who look and think
the same, so we haven’t really got proper
answers to those.
“We also don’t have enough scientists who
are good at communicating and doing that
policy dialogue,” adds Wade.
She warns that students rarely have a clear
idea of what you can do with physics, which
puts them off studying it at A level.
“Around 60% of the physics graduates from
Imperial go on to work in investment banking
and a physics degree is just as useful if you
want to work in the government or journalism,”
she says. “There are no professions where a
physics A level wouldn’t benefit you — some
of the best medical doctors started their
scientific careers with physics degrees.
“There’s so much exciting research at the
moment: you’ve got extraordinary telescopes
being built all over the world; opportunities to
create bespoke medicines and even chances
to design new chemicals using artificial
intelligence. Young scientists are in such a
lucky position to enter this world. They need
to take some responsibility and do it, but first
we have to tell them abou t what’s
on offer.”
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Dr Wade’s tips to
encourage STEM
careers
Encourage young people
to study all three
sciences at GCSE to
open up their options at
A level and beyond.
“It’s quite hard to start
doing physics,
chemistry or further
maths at A-level if you
don’t have that
foundation.”
Invite real scientists to
talk at options evenings.
Link talks to options
selection and invite
scientists who break
down the TV
stereotypes; for
example, the Institute
of Physics can suggest
physicists to come in to
schools.
Involve recent alumni:
former students who
have moved on to STEM
degrees and careers
will be up to date on
current pathways and
practicalities. Invite
them to talk to and
mentor current
students.
Take advantage of free
CPD for teachers: The
Institute of Physics
offers free training via
the Stimulating Physics
Network and a Talk
Physic website: a forum
where you can discuss
topics related to
physics or share ideas.
Having more women in
science is changing how
science is done
Promoting STEM careers at school
To achieve this, she urges schools to provide
more robust STEM careers advice, mentoring
systems with recent alumni, particularly for
girls, and to invite scientists to talk at options
evenings, “getting teachers and parents
involved in that discussion too”.
With alumni, she suggests “more than just
one-off interventions” to enable students to
gain relevant, honest advice “from people
who are just a little bit older”.
“I’d encourage all schools to work with the
IOP,” she adds. “They have a network of
physicists across the country who can come
in for talks and they really help with the way
you do it: the stories you tell and the careers
advice you give. They also have an award
scheme called Gender Action to recognise
schools that are committed to ending
stereotypes and promoting gender equality.”
In addition, the IOP offers CPD for teachers,
including free training via its Stimulating
Physics Network, while its TalkPhysics
website offers a forum for discussion and
sharing ideas.
“I’m fully aware that teachers have a
lot on their plates and asking them to
take more on is hard,” says Wade. “But it’s
fantastic and free.”
RESOURCES:
Angela Saini’s latest book Superior:
the Return of Race Science, was
published in May.
36 // STEM