Scientists and technologists should become more involved in public affairs, according to a body advising the Government on science policy. It also recommends that the State invest at least £500,000 next year to begin development of a network of educational science centres.
The State needed to develop greater confidence in dealing with the opportunities which science and technology presented, according to a statement issued by the Irish Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (ICSTI) to mark Science Week Ireland. Government, business, education and society should become more aware of the contribution made by science.
"To this end, it is vital that scientists and technologists increase their efforts to explain their work to the public and become more involved in policy development," according to the ICSTI.
Public understanding of science was essential. "The public is often caught in the middle of rows between scientists and may find it difficult to distinguish one scientific finding or viewpoint from another."
The council said the education system had a key role in developing a general interest in science. It welcomed changes in the primary school science curriculum but said "major changes are needed in the content, teaching methods and assessment of science and technology subjects at second level in order to reverse the decline in the numbers taking some of those subjects".
It recommended an allocation of £500,000 in 1999 to develop a plan for a network of science centres, which could then be established with EU, State and private funding.
The centres should be across the State, each with its specialist area and its educational "outreach activities" for schools.
The ICSTI also stressed the media's role "in facilitating mutual understanding between scientists and the public".
