Engineering the pipeline

One aspect of the issue which I have never seen mentioned is human aptitude for science and engineering. There appears to be only a small amount of research on the question of natural aptitude for STEM subjects, except with respect to gender. I am interested in understanding the starting point which exists in the evolved spread of aptitude among the population, not just between the sexes. (Of course this is overlaid by environmental influences.) In the absence of much research, I would argue that natural STEM aptitude is a minority among the UK population, probably similar to the world as a whole. This is because it requires abstract thought. However, I would also argue that greater exposure to scientific and technical thinking within society, and a greater public discourse using such thinking, should help to lift the average level of aptitude, on a fairly longwave timescale. Greater exposure has been happening in the UK over the last 10-15 years as science and engineering have gained more prominence, particularly with the new more popular OU approach to TV programming on BBC2 and BBC4, and discussions on top news and current affairs programmes. This has been supported by the increasing reliance of society on technology to deliver higher standards of living and keep the country internationally competitive. Government policies, educational methods and company recruitment need to take account of the baseline average level of STEM aptitude in their populations. This level means there is a finite number of more or less natural scientists and engineers, so interventions are needed in terms of general culture, as discussed above, and specific programmes, as discussed by Professor Finkelstein. A second aspect of the issue is how science and engineering are taught. Professor Finkelstein rightly refers to the need for teaching of STEM subjects to be more exciting and inspirational. One way I think this should be done is to teach from a problem-centred starting point. Start teaching a child or teenager about the chemistry of nylon or how a biopolymer is made and natural aptitude and interest means that a sizeable portion of the class begins switching off. Instead, start asking how we can make better materials for clothes, and the whole universe of potential solutions is open for students to explore, like a maze to navigate. There are elements of chemistry and chemical engineering, but also materials and materials forming, as well as design. Obviously this is just one example of a problem-centred approach, and there are thousands more. I would like to see Problem-Centred Engineering become a degree course, which would break down the barriers between the silos of engineering disciplines. These two issues feed into another area of opportunity for increasing the number of home-grown engineers: enabling people in their 20s and 30s to transfer into engineering. For many people, STEM aptitude and interest may develop later, but by the time this happens, they have trained in other disciplines and have family and financial commitments which prevent an easy change of career. When I was choosing A Levels, I wanted to do Physics, but I wasn't allowed to do this with Economics and German, so I was forced to choose humanities or sciences. I chose the former, and replaced Physics with French. Twenty five years later, my latent interest in engineering, exemplified by my interest and aptitude for physics, resurfaced, and I was fortunate to be able to move into engineering without much cost. Others may not have such a chance, and would need specific career change support. The rounded experience of workers in their 20s and 30s, plus latent aptitude awakened and a huge motivation to catch up with a career they didn't warm to when they were teenagers, could be a real advantage to employers, society and the economy. I would be surprised if much research has been carried out among such older workers on their latent interest in STEM, particularly engineering, but developing an understanding of this could be really valuable. Can we have some solid research on these three issues please?