The challenge of providing modern science education

It's safe to say that the amount of information that our children have access to is absolutely astounding when compared to what our grandparents would have had. From December 1995 to December 2016, just 21 years, the number of internet users went from 16 million to 3.5 billion. Young people today have the ability to take the information available and their ability to learn is almost unlimited and far beyond the expectations that previous generations could ever have even dreamed.

The problem for schools is their ability to support this new, advanced and well-informed class of pupil, especially when it comes to science. For those educated in the baby-boomer period, it's likely that the science school room looked very similar to any other classroom - a large blackboard at the front, charts of physics principles on one wall, the Periodic Table on another and maybe some gas taps to run a Bunsen burner.

These days, not only are physics, chemistry and biology more in-depth, but the standards of education into each discipline require more time and attention. Each field needs different learning materials, teach methods and facilities.

The answer could well be in creating more space by utilising under-used areas of the school grounds. An intelligently thought out, multi-disciplinary space that can switch between uses effortlessly could make all the difference to students. For example, the 'normal' rows of desks may work well for explaining principles and problems in physics but could hinder chemistry lessons.

Seating students in rows to work on experiments limits communication, both between the tutor and the students themselves. Allowing young people to move, collaborate and assist each other doesn't just increase the likelihood of a successful outcome in terms of the learning objectives, but also increases social skills and support for some pupils who may otherwise lose the connection with the subject.

School science rooms also now have much more equipment, including a range of pieces that would have been incredibly advanced to previous generations; in addition to all the usual chemicals, lab equipment, glassware and PPE that school labs need. This equipment needs to not only be accessible for staff and pupils for when it's needed but also be securely locked away and stored when not in use. Not only do schools now have valuable equipment on site, but also some hazardous materials.

Modern schools want to keep young people engaged with STEM subjects, but old-style classrooms may be unsuitable and difficult to retrofit. Having a new space with intelligent storage, modern equipment and the ability to quickly and effortlessly switch between uses means not only are young people supported in all disciplines of science, but teachers don't waste valuable time changing and prepping for different classes.