Maria Rossini
Head of Education, British Science Association
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions around our personal and professional capacities. The answers to those questions lie with innovation.
I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly struck by how many questions have been thrown at us as we adapt to life during a pandemic. Questions around our personal and professional capacities. Questions on the level of trust we have in those making critical decisions. Questions on whether this is something we can all cope with.
The inequalities in access to technology, skills, healthcare and resources both within the UK and globally have come to the fore over the past year. As people look to new jobs, how can we work on improving systems such as education and government to be more accessible?
Innovation equals inclusion
Innovation has been – and will continue to be – vital.
The best innovations incorporate inclusivity and ensure that there are dynamic solutions for the world we live in. They allow all voices to be heard and call on diverse communities to be part of the answers to our biggest questions in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Coming out of this pandemic, we need to ensure that as many individuals and communities as possible are involved in the future that we build.
Coming out of this pandemic, we need to ensure that as many individuals and communities as possible are involved in the future that we build.
STEM involves everyone
STEM subjects do not exist in silos. Rather, they intertwine with everything in the world around us, and play more of a leading role in our lives than many of us may think. Even everyday activities like baking a cake, repairing a bike or mixing paints to create a piece of art see us act like scientists and engineers in some way, demonstrating that each and every one of us is capable of connecting with STEM subjects.
Scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians should not – and do not – look, speak or move in a certain way, nor do they have to work in laboratories or offices with certain qualifications under their belt.
Rather, we all have the potential to engage and succeed in STEM – whether as a hobby, through education or as a career – and go on to develop innovations that could heal and improve our COVID-shaken society.
Whether you are a formal educator, parent, carer or volunteer, we hope that you will take the chance to support our efforts to champion and widen access to STEM subjects – and encourage as many young people as possible to get involved too.