Foster introduces television presenter Iain Stewart at school lecture

EnterpMethodist College, Belfast.rise Minister Arlene Foster today welcomed television presenter Iain Stewart to a lecture on Geoscience at

Professor Iain Stewart is a high profile BBC science presenter who recently made two landmark BBC programmes, ‘Earth – the Power of the Planet’ (2007) and ‘Climate Wars’ (2008).

Professor Stewart is undertaking a series of events in Belfast this month and his lecture at Methodist College was the first of three schools lectures being organised by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI). His lecture was attended by key stage three and four students of the geography and science curricula.

Welcoming Iain Stewart, Arlene Foster shared her thoughts with the students on geology in the 21st century. She said: “Northern Ireland is one of the best places in the world to study geology. We are a small country and you can visit a wide variety of different landscapes in a short period of time, that is why over the past 150 years, Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland geologists have been at the centre of debate and discovery.”

Encouraging the students to choose earth science subjects, Arlene Foster continued: “We have to understand the planet we live on. Geology is one of the subjects that is central to helping us understand how we need to manage the Earth.

“Geology is one of the most sought after subjects for degrees in a wide range of careers, including environmental and civil engineering. Only four schools in Northern Ireland offer the opportunity to study the subject, including here at Methodist College. You therefore have a great opportunity to learn more about our landscape and perhaps become some of the Earth Scientists for the 21st century.”

Methodist College was selected for this event as it has a vibrant geology course and Student Geology Society. Methodist College’s students have consistently gained top marks in A-level geology in the United Kingdom. Karen Parks, the geology teacher at the college, works on a UK-wide basis to promote teacher training in the geosciences and to advance the uptake of geoscience courses in schools.

The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) works closely with many schools and facilitates sixth form work experience on a regular basis.. In addition, GSNI in association with W5, undertakes a schools event that encourages debate on the use of natural resources.

Notes to Editors:

1. GSNI was established in 1947 and as part of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, provides geological expertise for government, industry and the public.
2. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned