There are numerous ways to get involved in and benefit from the Society’s work.
Education
We invite teachers, schools and colleges to get involved in our Partnership
Grants and Associate Schools schemes. Do you have a good idea for bringing
science alive in schools, but need some funding to make it happen? Maybe you're
a teacher with a great idea for a science project? Or perhaps a scientist
or an engineer who would like to be more involved with your local
school? The Royal Society's Partnership Grants scheme could be just
what you're looking for. The scheme now offers up to £3000
to support teachers, scientists and engineers like you in working together to
inspire young people.
As a new venture for the Society’s 350th
anniversary next year we have launched the Associate Schools scheme. This
scheme aims to give schools access to the Society’s unrivalled resources, not
only in terms of scientific expertise but other material, such as our unique
collection of scientific books and manuscripts. The pilot phase of the
scheme is recruiting 1 primary and 1 secondary school from each London borough
to be an Associate School until September 2010.
The Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME)
operates under the auspices of the Society and is the leading advisory body on
5-19 mathematics education in England. An independent committee, ACME aims to
influence Government strategy and policies with a view to improving the
outcomes of mathematics teaching and learning in England and so securing a
mathematically enabled population.
As a member of the Science Community Representing Education (SCORE) partnership, the Society plays a major role supporting the Government’s
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme. partnership provides a coherent voice for the science
education community on the long-term issues in science education. The members
of SCORE are the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the
Institute of Biology, the Biosciences Federation, the Science Council, the
Association for Science Education and the Royal Society. SCORE is chaired by
Sir Alan Wilson. SCORE partners recognise the importance of taking a strategic
approach to strengthening science education. Key priorities include addressing
the serious problems of the decline in numbers of young people taking A level
physics and chemistry and the unacceptable shortages of specialist teachers in
these subjects in our schools and colleges.
Science Policy
Our
policy advice is aimed at those who determine policy on issues with a
scientific aspect, such as Government ministers, MPs, MEPs and civil servants. In
addition to this, we aim to inform the public debate around these issues. Our
policy work comes in a variety of forms, such as workshops, seminars, briefing
meetings, summaries, statements, major reports or consultations (which we both
issue and respond to). Although the outputs vary, the end goal is the same to
provide independent advice, based on the best scientific evidence available, to
those determining policy. Find out more about our current activities on Science Policy.