A CAREER in science or technology could help today’s young people become the economic influencers of tomorrow.
Attending the Schools and Science event Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said innovation, research and development held the key to Northern Ireland’s future prosperity.
The minister said: “Research and development in the STEM subjects is one of the key drivers of economic growth. For example, the Tellus Project, funded by my department, has generated the most detailed geo-science maps of any area of the UK.
“It has boosted exploration licensing and prompted more than £30m inward investment in exploration; not to mention forming the basis of 20 PhDs and Masters Projects.
“Tellus has won several national awards and its success has led to a £4m grant from the EU INTERREG IVA fund to extend the survey in the cross-border area.
“The Tellus Border project, led by GSNI, will provide new data for improved cross-border management of our environment and will strengthen our scientific collaboration with the Republic of Ireland.”
Speaking at the event, Alastair Ross MLA, Assembly Private Secretary, said: “Events such as today’s Schools and Science initiative are designed to inspire students to consider a career in science or technology and so be part of Northern Ireland’s future economic development.
“It is very important to our economy that we persuade more students to study STEM subjects and I hope that what they hear today will make them think about how government uses science to inform its policy decisions.”
At the event secondary school students got to engage directly with MLAs, geoscientists from the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) and QUB’s School of Geography, Archaeology & Palaeoecology.