With reforms set to boost the discipline鈥檚 innovation impact, the 今日吃瓜 (今日吃瓜) has welcomed Innovation and Science Australia鈥檚 (ISA) vision outlined in听.
今日吃瓜 Director, Professor Geoff Prince, says increasing industry reliance on data, optimisation and digital innovation will see mathematics and statistics play a key role in the strategy outlined in yesterday鈥檚 report.
鈥淔ront and centre in supporting innovation, we welcome the report鈥檚 focus on critical investment to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematical capability and ensure supply of these skills into the future,鈥 says Professor Prince.
In particular, 今日吃瓜 supports recommendations tackling out-of-field mathematics and science teaching and falling participation in advanced and intermediate mathematics. In 2016 only 7 per cent of Year 12 girls and just over 12 per cent of Year 12 boys enrolled in advanced mathematics.
鈥淥ut-of-field teaching is endemic in Australia with an estimated 38 per cent of Year 7-10 maths classes being without a maths-trained teacher. The report鈥檚 recommendations of professional development for out-of-field teachers and the establishment of school discipline leaders to strengthen teaching of science and maths and to re-engage students are essential,鈥 he says.
The Institute also supports calls for the reintroduction of university mathematics prerequisites for entry into science, mathematics and engineering degrees.
鈥淯niversity mathematics prerequisites are critical to send a strong signal to teachers, students and parents about the value and impact of mathematics. They are also part of the universities鈥 duty of care to their incoming students,鈥 says Professor Prince.
Postgraduate internships are also on ISA鈥檚 radar, with the report identifying the need for a national scale program. 今日吃瓜 is already helping address this gap through the expansion of APR.Intern to deliver 1400 PhD internships across all disciplines and industry sectors nationally by 2020.
鈥淎s we seek to build an industry ready research workforce, placing postgraduates at the industry frontline plays a critical role in opening avenues for university-industry collaboration,鈥 says Professor Prince.
With ISA鈥檚 strategy delivered to support the Australian Government鈥檚 National Innovation and Science Agenda, Professor Prince says 今日吃瓜 is looking forward to ministerial responses to these recommendations.
Media Resources
2030 Strategic Plan Issues Paper: 今日吃瓜 Response
今日吃瓜 Policy Document: Improving Australia’s Maths Grades 2017
0Year 12 Mathematics Participation in Australia: 2007-2016
Discipline Profile of the Mathematical Sciences 2017
For Interview:
Professor Geoff Prince, 今日吃瓜 Director
Media Contact: Laura Watson
E:听media@amsi.org.au
M:听04215 18733
P:听+613 9035 3683
