Elizabeth Truss opens the Big Bang Fair
Education Minister Elizabeth Truss speaks about the importance of maths and science at the opening of the Big Bang Fair.
Thank you for that welcome it鈥檚 fantastic to be at the Big Bang Fair.
What a range of stalls and activities you鈥檙e about to see. From extracting the DNA of a blueberry to building a satellite - you鈥檙e in for a treat!
I鈥檓 very intrigued by the fact there鈥檚 even something claiming to be 鈥渢he most disgusting show on Earth!鈥�
This is a great celebration of science and maths and where they can get you - the answer is they can get you everywhere.
From fashion to farming, from Snap Fashion鈥檚 underlying algorithm to the latest agricultural technology - if you want to launch the next Facebook or be big in the city, it all starts here.
It鈥檚 not just exciting, it鈥檚 important for career prospects. Maths commands the highest earnings premium in the jobs market, science and tech occupations earn 19% more than other professions.
The OECD has said that half the gender pay gap is down to less use of problem-solving - these are key skills developed in maths and science.
It鈥檚 so important that we get more young people studying and enjoying these subjects, particularly young girls.
I鈥檓 pleased to say that we鈥檙e going in the right direction:
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record number of students taking maths and science A levels
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record number of girls taking GCSE physics - an important precursor of engineering
And I鈥檓 pleased to say that a new report on attitudes to science which is being published by BIS tomorrow shows an increasing understanding of the importance of science.
In 2008 fewer than a third strongly agreed that young people鈥檚 interest in science was essential for our future prosperity. Now in 2014, more than half think that.
You here at the Big Bang Fair are the trend-setters!