STEM news

The More Maths Grads (MMG) project is celebrating its achievements over the past three years with a Parliamentary Reception demonstrating the crucial role the mathematical sciences play in further study and careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

The 'Where will maths take you?' event takes place today (27 January 2010) at the House of Commons, hosted by former Secretary of State for Education and Skills, the Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP. He congratulated the government-funded project, which set out to develop and evaluate ways of increasing the number of students studying mathematical sciences at university, particularly through encouraging participation from groups of learners who have not traditionally been well represented in higher education.

Mr Clarke said, "The future of mathematics education remains vitally important for this country. I am delighted that the MMG project has been able to make an impact in improving standards of mathematics education and increasing the number continuing to study mathematics. I hope that the experience of the project will be carefully considered as future policy is formed."

MMG was one of four projects funded by the Higher Education Funding Councils for England and Wales aiming to increase interest in further study of STEM subjects, in particular by highlighting available careers. Today's event offered parliamentarians, policy makers and representatives from industry and commerce the opportunity to see the work of MMG and its sister projects through talks and displays.

Makhan Singh, MMG national project manager said, "The More Maths Grads team has to be congratulated for their extremely hard work and unstinting energy. They worked closely with schools, employers and careers services in the Yorkshire and Humber, West Midlands and East London regions, delivering workshops, running careers fairs, supporting teachers and motivating students. The team has built up some very successful relationships and the project has touched the lives of tens of thousands school students, plus many more members of the wider public. The project's legacy of resources and good practice will be very valuable."

A new project, the National HE STEM Programme, will carry on the work of MMG. This new project will combine Hefce's physics, chemistry, engineering and mathematical sciences projects to increase interest in STEM subjects among young people. It will engage with employers, working to enhance higher level skills in the workplace, and with universities to enhance accessibility of HE courses in these subjects.

Programme director Michael Grove, said, "Having been involved with the development of More Maths Grads, I'm delighted that this excellent project's work will be a starting point for the mathematical sciences activity of the National HE STEM Programme. The Programme's integrated nature will reiterate and reinforce the importance of mathematics within the STEM disciplines and more widely. It will work to transfer and embed tried and tested activities in the design and delivery of HE STEM education, whilst encouraging further innovation. This will make a real difference to the way in which universities work with both schools and employers."

The MMG project has received constant support throughout from Sir Peter Williams, a physicist, entrepreneur and former chair of Oxford Instruments. He said, "MMG has successfully targeted both the critical importance of, and the ongoing need for, more mathematics graduates in all walks of life in society. MMG was established following the decline in numbers studying mathematics at all levels and worked with others to raise the profile and relevance of the subject; we are now beginning to see something of a renaissance. But the job is not yet done, and the National HE STEM programme needs encouragement from us all to continue the excellent work of More Maths Grads."

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