RTÉ will broadcast a new 13-part television series aimed at encouraging more young people to study science and engineering before the end of the year.
Each programme will last about 25 minutes and will target secondary school students, although no specific age group has yet been decided upon.
The series will receive financial support from the Government's Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Awareness Programme operated by Forfás.
The STI Awareness Programme was set up to promote interest in science and technology among young people. The group hopes the series will help reverse the trend among young people to ignore science subjects in favour of studying humanities.
Figures published earlier this month by the Central Applications Office (CAO) show a further 6 per cent decline in third- level applications for science and applied sciences by school students. This was compensated for to some degree by a 7 per cent increase in students choosing engineering and technology but the downward trend in science will alarm policy-makers.
The new statistics follow major falls in the number of students opting for science and technology related courses last year.
Figures published by the CAO in August 2002 showed the number opting for computer courses as their first preference at third level declined from more than 10,000 in 2001 to just in excess of 5,000 in 2002. Most observers believe the lower interest for science and technology subjects among students is a result of the closure of several big technology firms and the prolonged economic downturn.
The television series is likely to be either a co-production between RTÉ and an independent production company or an independent production developed for the State broadcaster.
A tender for the series was published recently by Forfás and applications from independent companies must be submitted by April 11th.
It is understood extra funding will be sought from a commercial sponsor from the private sector, such as a prominent technology company.
The new series is one of several public service commitments made by RTÉ in its recent licence fee application, which was granted by the Government.
An RTÉ spokeswoman said the new series was an example of the type of public service programming that the broadcaster was committed to making. The State broadcaster had also recently advertised a new position for an education and science correspondent, she added.
