The event, which brought together policy makers, practitioners and stakeholders, focused on how young people can be encouraged to take an early interest in technology and develop careers in STEM-related subjects.
Segars highlighted things that will help to encourage more students to consider science and technology as a career.
First, teachers need to bring technology into as many subject areas as possible, not just technology classes. He called for a ‘de-geeking’ of technology, making it accessible to everyone and ensuring that STEM was introduced in such a way that it appealed to all students.
He called for the national curriculum to be amended, with the teaching of technology to be introduced much earlier. Segars also talked about the role of the BBC Microbit and his hopes of getting the technology into the hands of students as early as possible.
Finally, he warned that we need to provide adequate material and training for teachers.
To be fair none of the things which Segars mentioned are particularly new and have been raised many times over the years.
The curriculum is already stuffed full; what goes if technology is introduced? A teacher contributing from the floor said ‘the exciting stuff is extra curricular’. And there’s the problem: after school clubs, for example, tend to preach to the converted.
The BBC MicroBit may help to engage some younger students, but whether it has the impact of the BBC Micro in turning the heads of a generation remains to be seen.
Despite industry’s best ambitions, the solution lies in the hands of Government – it has the ability to change things.
It’s happening in other European countries, so why not in the UK?
