Why Science is Important

Alom Shaha, a science teacher at Camden School for Girls, asked scientists and educators to explain why they think science is important. He got a great range of responses, which he has compiled into a documentary. Many of the contributors seem to have moved from research to writing and teaching - I'm not sure that's indicative of anything other than the fact that educators are more likely to have both heard about the project and be comfortable with talking on video.

Some of the women in science who contributed:

• Kat Arney, "ex-scientist" working as a Science Information Officer at Cancer Research UK
• Robin Bell, Senior Research Scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University.
• Susan Blackmore, frelance writer and Visiting Lecturer at the University of the West of England, Bristol. Blackmore is best known for her theory of memetics.
  
• Rosie Coates, PhD student in chemistry at University College London.
• Beulah Garner, natural history curator at the Horniman Museum and Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society.
• Elaine Greaney, rocket scientist.
• Maya Hawes: a 12-year-old student
• Ann Lingard, novelist, former scientist, and founder of SciTalk - a site that helps writers connect with scientists.
• Becky Parker, Head of Physics at the Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys. She's a former lecturer in physics, a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, and has been awarded an MBE for her services to science.
• Jennifer Rohn, cell biologist and founder of LabLit.com.
• Rhian Salmon, PhD in Atmospheric Chemistry. She currently works as Education and Outreach Coordinator for the International Polar Year
• Tara Shears, particle physicist.
• Anna Smajdor, lecturer in Ethics at the University of East Anglia. She is particularly interested in the ethical aspects of science, medicine and technology.

Here's the final film (if you don't see it embedded below, click the link):

Why is Science Important? from Alom Shaha on Vimeo.

Tags: Why Science is Important, education