12th December 2000

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Pupils who weren’t thinking about going to University are changing their minds after spending some time working in local industry putting what they have learned in the classroom into practice.

Pupils from nine local schools have been taking part in the University of Ulster’s Step-Up scheme, a £500K programme to encourage pupils from secondary schools to apply to University.

To date pupils have been visiting Perfecseal, Coolkeeragh, NIE, DuPont and the Water Service. The results have been impressive and the pupils will be presenting their findings to University staff and industrialists at a special Industrial Evening at Magee College.

St Mary’s Secondary School student, Diane Farren, said:

“It was only when I visited the Water Service that I realised how much science is actually used in the purification, treatment and testing of water. It was fascinating to actually see Cryptosporidium, the bug which recently caused illness in the Belfast area, under the microscope.”

Step-Up aims to help pupils improve their performances in GNVQ Science through a range of activities including tailor made lectures. Mildred Gill, Head of Science at Templemore Secondary says:

“The lectures are a reinforcement of programmes followed in school. The visits to industrial sites give important insight at a practical level to the courses which prepares the students for the experience of the workplace.”

Local business leaders have also been enthusiastic participants in Step Up. Sean Ferguson, Connections Manager of NIE said:

“This programme fits perfectly with NIE’s strategic aim of raising social standards by increasing learning across a range of educational and vocational programmes. Our staff were delighted to participate in the Step-Up GNVQ Science at Work module recognising the importance of creating a learning culture through workplace learning schemes.”

Roy Devine of Coolkeeragh Power said:

“Coolkeeragh staff involved in the programme get tremendous satisfaction from working with the students and their teachers, and particularly enjoy discussing and exploring with them some of the many practical examples of the application of science here in the workplace.”

Step-Up is initially being piloted in nine secondary schools, from both sides of the community, in the North-West of the province. In addition to input from the University, local industry, government agencies and the local hospital have also been heavily involved to ensure that GNVQ Science is delivered in the most effective way.

Kay O'Connell, Head of Science at St Cecilia’s College says:

“Industrial visits give students the opportunity to see that scientific theory is actually put into practice and that products and services which we take for granted require a lot of effort from a lot of people. They also help young people to see that scientists and those involved in science related industries are not necessarily old, male and slightly eccentric".

Dr Damian O’Kane, Director of Step-Up at the University of Ulster, welcomed the input from the schools and the involvement of local business and industry:

“There is a wealth of scientific expertise available within local industry, Government agencies and the local hospital in both the teaching and research field. Step-Up has tapped into this valuable resource in order to provide these pupils with the optimal opportunity for success. There can be no doubt that our partners in industry, governments agencies and the local hospital have contributed significantly to the success of the Step-Up scheme.”

The scheme has received national praise from the UK Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals which will be using it as an example of 'excellence' in widening access to initial higher education.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk