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Number of science and engineering ambassadors reaches 18,000

31 January 2008

The number of people dedicated to sharing their enthusiasm for science and engineering and inspiring young people reached record levels today.

Process engineer Ewere Odaro became the 18,000th person to join the Science and Engineering Ambassador (SEA) scheme since it was established by the Government in 2002.

The UK programme, managed by the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Network (STEMNET), was expected to achieve the target of 18,000 ambassadors by 31 March but is ahead of schedule having reached this number at the end of last year.

Science Minister Ian Pearson, who today congratulated Ms Odaro on joining the scheme, said:

The Government is committed to investing in the skills of our workforce and especially our young people who will play a key role in building a globally competitive UK in a rapidly changing world.

There are now thousands of Science and Engineering Ambassadors up and down the country inspiring young people and explaining that pursuing qualifications and a career in areas like science, technology, engineering and maths can be both fun and rewarding.

Employers who have ambassadors on their staff also benefit with more opportunities for staff to develop and an increased company profile in the community, including the potential employees of tomorrow.

Ambassadors represent a broad range of STEM disciplines from apprentices and technicians through to PhDs working in corporate, academic and government organisations. They work with students in several ways, including supporting school Science and Engineering clubs, assisting with school science competitions or offering advice and mentoring to students.

Ms Odaro, who works for MW Kellogg Ltd, an engineering, procurement and construction contractor, has so far participated in three ambassador activities. These have included talking to students about engineering as a career, leading students in playing engineering-related games and demonstrating science experiments to an after school science club.

Ms Odaro said:

I really admire STEMNET's Science and Engineering Ambassador initiative. I think it's important to encourage young people to consider a career in this area, and particularly to encourage more young females.

It doesn't take much of my time and if I can provide any sort of clarity or advice to young people who are deciding what to study then I feel like I've done something worthwhile.

Notes to Editors

  1. The Government is committed to increasing the number of young people studying STEM subjects. The activities of STEMNET and the SEA programme, as funded by DIUS, are part of a wider strategy on delivering this objective.
  2. In 2002 Lord Sainsbury asked STEMNET (then SETNET) to establish a science role-model scheme, which was subsequently called the Science and Engineering Ambassadors programme
  3. STEMNET operates the SEA scheme on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
  4. STEMNET aims to ensure that young people in the UK make a choice to enter science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) at all levels, and future generations are properly informed about the science and technology that surrounds them. STEMNET supports schools and colleges through its national, regional and local networks and partner organisations.
  5. Ambassadors are CRB-checked and provided with sufficient, generic, training to work effectively in a wide variety of school and college settings. Ambassadors are required to participate in a minimum of one activity per year.
  6. For more information, contact Rhys Stacker in the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) press office on 0207 300 8105. For information about the SEA scheme, contact Sereen El-Jamal on 020 3206 0458.