The Royal Society’s recent report, 'A new approach to mathematical and data education' and the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s ‘Education and skills 2050’ report provided a backdrop to the discussion. Both reports consider the extent to which education can and should meet technical workplace skills needs, whilst also preparing all young people to be active citizens.
Input was welcomed from Education Scotland, the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, the Academy for Mathematical Sciences as well as representatives of the construction, AI, engineering and renewable energy industries. There was widespread agreement that to achieve Scotland’s ambitions for net-zero and data-driven economic growth, the education system needs a cohesive strategy to ensure quality, consistency and equity.
It was argued that the key to its success would be:
- Redefining mathematical success: Expanding and elevating applied qualifications as credible alternatives to traditional maths routes
- Cross-curricular integration: Contextualising mathematics in terms of climate change, health, economics and AI could help to break down confidence and gender barriers and reinforce its necessity in practical terms
- Making ethics part of the equation: Embedding ethical reasoning into mathematics and data education will enable students to understand the social implications of their work, particularly in fields like AI
- Empowering teachers: If we want to encourage the recognition of maths and data skills across the curriculum, teachers will require the training and resources necessary to enable them to share responsibility without removing accountability
- Research: Further research is needed to identify and evaluate the suitability of the existing mathematical and data education system in Scotland, especially in relation to the changing needs of industry and meeting governmental targets
The summary note includes further details of the key discussion points.
This roundtable formed part of our Creating Connections series of regional and national meetings, which aim to address the scientific and technical opportunities and challenges faced by the UK. The meetings feature a range of workshops and roundtable discussions on diverse topics in science and policy, and the outcomes inform the ongoing work of the Society.