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Member Opinion
Science and Math Training Will Put
Our Children on the Road to Success
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Stephen Tang |
Math and science skills must be a part of the roadmap as Pennsylvania’s children set out on the path to success.
The students who are captivated by scientific experiments in classroom labs today are the ones who will lead the life science industry and this region to future success.
Pennsylvania cannot compete on a global scale unless we have a larger and growing cadre of students who enter higher education and the workforce with training — and interest — in science and technology. But we have a long way to go: more than 60% of Pennsylvania’s children failed the state-wide science test.
Science, Math Education Key to Economic Development
The life science industry accounts for more than 350,000 jobs or 11 percent of the region’s total employment and nearly 13 percent of the region’s total earnings, according to Select Greater Philadelphia, which calls life sciences our region’s “number one economic engine.”
That employment number is growing. The Delaware Valley Innovation Network projects the life science industry will have 10,149 job openings by 2013. These jobs will require workers who have a mix of science, technology and business skills, DVIN tells us.
When you look at these projections, it becomes apparent that a pipeline of workers trained in the science disciplines is critical to the continued robust growth of the life sciences sector. That’s what it’s going to take for us to compete on a global scale.
iPraxis at The University City Science Center
So what are we going to do about it?
Fortunately, there is a program that is tackling this problem head on.
The University City Science Center is home to iPraxis, a community leadership organization focused on attracting and involving people of color in science exploration at early ages and increasing the participation of minorities in the business of science. They want to ensure that our region’s wealth in bio science resources is matched with home-grown talent.
On May 7, the Science Center hosted iFunction, an iPraxis event celebrating the accomplishments of middle school science students at iPraxis partner schools. Mentors, partners and corporate leaders in science education were also honored. More than 150 children, parents, teachers and supporters were invited.
The keynote speaker was Bruce K. Redding, Jr., President and CEO, Encapsulation Systems, Inc. Redding is an ideal role model for these children. An inventor and entrepreneur, he holds 12 issued and 15 pending patents. His accomplishments include technology license and R&D agreements with companies such as DuPont and Sandoz Pharmaceuticals.
What does Redding share with the entrepreneurs who started successful companies at the Science Center — aside from drive, curiosity, determination and a bit of luck? A strong background in science and technology.
Buckminster Fuller, one of the earlier Science Center residents, believed that technology, if properly harnessed, could solve the problems of what he referred to as “Spaceship Earth.”
His central challenge to us still resonates today. He said, “We are on a spaceship, a beautiful one. It took billions of years to develop. We’re not going to get another one. Now, how do we make this spaceship work?”
I pose another question: Where will we find the skilled workforce to make it work? I look forward to the day when the answer is: “Right here in Pennsylvania.” But we’ve got some work to do to prepare the next generation of Fullers and Reddings.
Stephen S. Tang, PhD, is President and CEO of the University City Science Center and a member of the iPraxis Board of Directors.
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