‘War’ looms between STEM subjects: expert

Hi there Lyn, Not sure what i call myself these days, but I think you have a point. I was trained as an electronics technician in the Air force way back in the 1960’s. When I left I decided to do a degree in Pure mathematics and mathematical physics at Adelaide University. When i finished my degree and tried to get work back in my filed did i have great trouble convincing future employers of the value of my degree for future technical and engineering positions.
Many future employers basically wished i had done an engineering degree. I believe that all forms of knowledge are worth while and I think getting a good foundation in Maths Physics and Engineering is essential for this countries future development.
Someone who was a great educator gave me a book Tilted “Not much of an Engineer”. It was about Sir Stanley Hooker” who before the second world war joined the Bristol aviation Company in 1949. he only had a degree in Applied mathematics he tuned out to be one of the best aircraft engineers in the world.

The title of the book was due to a statement made by one of his early employers in the 1940’s. that he was not qualified and was only a theroy person.I have found that rivalry between discipline areas even in the exact sciences to be very destructive and unnecessary. All our important

Most of the time i am involved in teaching now but 1 have great respect for Engineers and Engineering, I miss it. I feel what you saying has some truth to it, the trouble in Australia is that we are indeed de-industrializing and one only has to see what is happening to our car industry we need a revolution like renewable energy systems for example to generate interest and stimulation in this very important discipline.

Cheers Alan Mainwaring