2012 report from Amgen Canada and Let's Talk Science - Spotlight on Science Learning: A benchmark of Canadian talent
MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 5, 2012 /CNW/ - A report released today by Amgen
Canada and Let's Talk Science reveals that creating a large pool of
science-based talent is crucial to keeping Canada competitive and
Canadians employed.
The report reveals that while Canadian students perform well in national
and international tests, there is a huge drop-off in the uptake of
science and math courses once they are no longer compulsory, usually
after grade 10, and the proportion of students studying these courses
in colleges and universities remains flat.
Given our needs as a nation - from filling employment shortages, being
more innovative, and growing as a knowledge economy - more needs to be
done to attract and retain students in science programs from high
school right through to post-secondary if we are to fill the jobs of
the future.
"Some degree of learning in science, technology, engineering and math
(STEM) will be essential for many jobs that will be in great demand in
the coming years," says Karen Burke, Ph.D., director, regulatory
affairs, Amgen Canada and member of the expert panel that helped
analyze the report's data. "As other nations put greater focus on these
areas of learning, Canada cannot afford to be left behind."
Spotlight on Science Learning: A benchmark of Canadian talent is a first-of-its-kind look at the key benchmarks of STEM learning,
starting in elementary and secondary school, moving on through
post-secondary education and going into the workforce. The report
identifies a core list of 11 benchmarks that need to be tracked in
order to properly monitor Canadian progress in STEM learning. The key
indicators, identified and analyzed by an expert panel of knowledgeable
and influential members of the science and education communities,
include youth attitudes, student performance, participation in optional
high school courses, enrolment in and graduation from post-secondary
programs at all levels, apprenticeships, job forecasts and employment
shortages.
The report calls for collective action among youth, parents, educators,
industry, outreach organizations, and government to share the
responsibility of developing a culture in Canada that supports STEM
learning: And all Canadians are invited to lend their voice to the
discussion by visiting http://www.letstalkscience.ca/spotlight.html and commenting on the report, the benchmarks and its full list of
recommendations.
"We need to revitalize our young people's love of science," says Bonnie
Schmidt, Ph.D., president, Let's Talk Science and chair of the expert
panel for Spotlight on Science Learning. "To keep our youth engaged in science learning, we need to help them
understand its value for future careers, not only for those directly
related to a science education, but to all jobs that require people to
be analytical and curious, to problem solve, and to experiment and
explore."
Jamie Mistry understands this first-hand. As a brewmaster, he says that
understanding science helps him be creative, try new approaches and
develop ideas to improve a product or process. "I could not do my job
without a strong understanding of microbiological techniques, chemistry
and engineering science," says Mistry. "Not all scientists wear white
lab coats and work with Bunsen burners."
"Ultimately, the results of our efforts in creating a culture that
supports science learning will be evident in how Canada progresses
against the benchmarks outlined in this report," says Dr. Schmidt. "We
need to foster a more science-literate and science-loving population
and prepare our young people for a future that's filled with
opportunity, thereby creating a more prosperous Canada in which all
citizens enjoy a high quality of life."
Spotlight on Science Learning: A benchmark of Canadian talent
In 2011, Amgen Canada convened an expert panel of knowledgeable and
influential members of the science and education communities to
identify key benchmarks for measuring whether Canada is on track to
develop the talent needed for the 21st-century demands of citizenship
and employment. The panel then analyzed publicly available data
gathered by Let's Talk Science to develop a greater understanding of
science learning and ambitions at all educational levels, employment in
STEM-related occupations, the growth of those fields, and Canada's
science culture. The data came from a wide variety of sources such as
the OECD; the Pan-Canadian Assessment Program; provincial ministries
and departments of education across Canada; Statistics Canada; Human
Resources and Skills Development Canada; postsecondary applications and
enrolment; industry sector councils; science education and outreach
organizations; and more.
About Amgen Canada
As a leader in innovation, Amgen Canada understands the value of
science. With main operations located in Mississauga, Ont.'s vibrant
biomedical cluster, and its research facility in Burnaby, B.C., Amgen
Canada has been an important contributor to advancements in science and
innovation in Canada since 1991. The company contributes to the
development of new therapies or new uses for existing medicines in
partnership with many of Canada's leading health-care, academic,
research, government and patient organizations. To learn more about
Amgen Canada, visit www.amgen.ca.
About Let's Talk Science
Let's Talk Science is an award-winning, national, charitable, science
outreach organization. Let's Talk Science creates and delivers science
learning programs and services that turn kids on to science, keep them
engaged in learning and develop their potential to become 21st century innovators and citizens. For more information about Let's Talk
Science, please visit www.letstalkscience.ca.
SOURCE Amgen Canada
Video with caption: "Video: Spotlight on Science Learning: A benchmark of Canadian talent". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20120605_C5880_VIDEO_EN_14609.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20120605_C5880_PHOTO_EN_14609.jpg&clientName=Amgen%20Canada&caption=Video%3A%20Spotlight%20on%20Science%20Learning%3A%20A%20benchmark%20of%20Canadian%20talent&title=Spotlight%20on%20Science%20Learning&headline=Canada%20could%20be%20left%20behind%20in%20the%20innovation%20economy%2C%20reveals%20new%20report%20on%20science%20learning
Video with caption: "Video: B-Roll footage for Spotlight on Science Learning: A benchmark of Canadian talent". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20120605_C5880_VIDEO_EN_14610.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20120605_C5880_PHOTO_EN_14610.jpg&clientName=Amgen%20Canada&caption=Video%3A%20B%2DRoll%20footage%20for%20Spotlight%20on%20Science%20Learning%3A%20A%20benchmark%20of%20Canadian%20talent&title=B%2DRoll&headline=Canada%20could%20be%20left%20behind%20in%20the%20innovation%20economy%2C%20reveals%20new%20report%20on%20science%20learning
Audio with caption: "Audio: Spotlight on Science Learning: A benchmark of Canadian talent - ANR". Audio available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/06/05/20120605_C5880_AUDIO_EN_14611.mp3
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/06/05/20120605_C5880_DOC_EN_14612.pdf
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/06/05/20120605_C5880_DOC_EN_14614.pdf
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/06/05/20120605_C5880_DOC_EN_14615.pdf