Minister visits South Wales science programme

Children from Caerphilly are showing how they are ahead of the game with a pioneering approach to learning about science and technology with the help of a South Wales electronics company.

Children from Caerphilly are showing how they are ahead of the game with a pioneering approach to learning about science and technology with the help of a South Wales electronics company and Careers Wales.

As part of science week from 10th to 18th March local primary pupils from Newbridge visited Axiom Manufacturing Services to learn about science and electronics.

Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Jane Davidson, was treated to a demonstration of how the education business partnership has developed over the last year into a curriculum-enriching link.

In this year's budget Gordon Brown called for the UK to be at the forefront of research and developing skills for the science and technology sector, but he needed look only as far as the South Wales valleys for an example of how this is already happening.

Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Jane Davidson, said: "There is no better way for children to learn than through hands on experience in an exciting new environment".

"At Axiom they are getting an unforgettable introduction to electronics that makes a lasting impression".

"You can see that everyone really enjoys taking part in the programme, electronics has been made fun to learn and teachers report that pupils share their experiences with others when they return to school".

"Teachers are also inspired by the programme which also helps their own professional development".

Managing Director of Axiom Manufacturing, Shaun Ashmead, said: "This programme helps to give local school children a head start learning about electronics and science.

The company is trying to make the learning experience a memorable one to allow them to learn more quickly".

"From Axiom's perspective, everyone gets to know what it is like to work in the electronics manufacturing sector and local children who travel past the plant every day get to have a look inside".

"The Welsh Assembly Government's Skills and Employment Action Plan for Wales identified skills shortages in the workforce and the need to address these shortages".

"There is also a decline in the number of young people studying science and engineering".

"This is an example of how Axiom is beginning to tackle the problem".

The original idea for this education and business link was developed within the local education authority and furthered by Careers Wales Gwent.

Schoolteachers visited Axiom to observe day-to-day business operations, and employees at work.

Teachers from Abercarn and Tynewydd primary schools then produced a scheme of work for KS2 pupils.

The scheme of work is derived from the KS2 science curriculum and hence a powerful tool in enhancing the level of teaching within the schools.

All pupils have to learn about aspects of electricity and circuitry, therefore what better way than to visit a successful electronic producer to bring schoolwork alive.

Pupils will complete part of their schoolwork building electric circuits as well as looking at the world of work.

Philip Diamond, Education and Business Links Co-ordinator for Careers Wales Gwent said: "Scientific industries need more people working in their fields and education business links will hopefully enthuse the next generation of scientist as well as making school lessons a little more relative".

"All primary schools in the Newbridge cluster will visit Axiom by the end of the year as part of its commitment to the locality".

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