The science of making York tick

IF all goes to plan, York will be overrun by scientists by 2021.

As it is, there are about 9,000 people working in the science and technology sector, roughly the same as are employed in tourism.

But that's not enough for Science City York. It proposes creating a further 15,000 jobs in the next 15 years. Fifteen thousand. That's twice as many as are employed by the city council.

It conjures up images of white-coated boffins with clipboards streaming down York's ancient streets. Or at least it does to a journalist whose scientific qualifications extend to physics O level.

Clichs aside, it is obvious even to the most irrational among us that science could be York's salvation. The carriageworks and Terry's have already gone, and there are worrying rumours surrounding Nestl Rowntree - although its product technology centre is in itself a first class example of the appliance of science.

The message is plain. York must adapt to survive. With cheap competition from Asia and Eastern Europe, making things is out. Dreaming things up is in.

Creativity - that is what Science City York is all about.

This partnership between the university, the council, Yorkshire Forward and private industry has produced more than 60 new technology companies and 2,600 new jobs since 1998. And manager Anna Rooke says most of these workers are a long way from the lab-bound boffin of stereotype.

"What we mean by science is much broader than that," she said. "It could be a graphic designer or someone working in the fashion industry."

Fashion, like most other sectors, is being transformed by digital technology. Its workers need to be as adept with textile software as with a needle and thread.

York in 2006 is a great time and place to be involved in technology, says Anna. Last December, York was one of a handful of centres granted science city status by Chancellor Gordon Brown, who considers "knowledge-based" business as Britain's big chance to compete and win globally.

"It means York has been recognised at a national level for contributing to the regional and national economy. York is a leading player and science and technology.

"The fact we have been recognised at a national level as being so significant is really exciting for the city."

So a lot of hard work has paid off. "The project to encourage knowledge-based industries has been at the heart of the city's economic development strategy for the past ten years."

Scientific companies are now "part and parcel of what makes York such a highly competitive city," says Anna. "These industries are in York because of the quality of life, because of the proximity to the university and because of the highly skilled workforce there is here."

Science City York's primary role is to help new businesses take off by offering them direction and support. It can issue grants to get a new invention from drawing board to prototype, for example. Earlier this week, Science City York was prominent at Venturefest Yorkshire, the event which brings entrepreneurs together with investors.

The organisation focuses on three main "clusters": bioscience and health care, creative technologies and IT and digital. The breadth of firms is impressive. More than one bioscience business is developing innovative technology to improve the detection and treatment of cancer.

Among the creative cluster is an archaeology database on the internet, and under the IT heading are businesses supplying computer know-how to everyone from Sainsbury's to the Ministry of Defence.

All this work is harder to explain to people than the manufacture of KitKats, however. Anna admits that some people find it difficult to get to grips with modern technologies.

"We hope to make it more accessible to residents. It's very much at the heart of what the city is trying to achieve: to be an international player in science while complementing other industries in the city."

One of the most successful ways of bridging the gap between old and new York has been the York Festival Of Science And Technology. The ninth shindig kicks off on March 9, and they are hoping for a record attendance of between seven and eight thousand visitors.

There's plenty to entertain youngsters, such as the crazy catapult challenge ("fire marshmallows to destroy a fort wall"). Their parents and grandparents might be more interested in the mystery of the champagne bubble, the science of emotions or a talk on the world of the super-small, chirpily entitled Alice And Bob In The Quantum Wonderland.

Bite-sized courses on a variety of scientific subjects, from digital photography to astronomy, will also be laid on.

If York is to develop into a world-leading science city, it must have a bright and well-trained workforce. Education - or lifelong learning as we must learn to call it - is another key Science City York role.

"We have been very lucky in that the education strategy in York has been to encourage greater science, technology and maths learning," Anna says.

"A number of secondary schools in York have enhanced their teaching expertise in association with Science City. Archbishop Holgate's became a specialist science college."

Improving the way science is taught in York took a bold leap forward with the opening in November of the £9 million National Science Learning Centre. This is housed in a new building on the York University campus and aims to provide the "highest quality professional development for teachers of science and technicians from across the UK".

So what will York be like in 2021, when the scientists take over?

"I have lived in York for the past ten years. I would say the city has always been very visionary and confident," said Anna.

"Its national standing will create a phenomenal new science and technology sector.

"Perhaps York doesn't have the same international exposure as Cambridge and Oxford. But certainly in 20 years time we will be in the top league of international cities for science and knowledge-based business."

Science Ltd

Vistatec York Ltd, York Science Park: developing molecular imaging technology that could improve the detection of cancer

Media Mill, Shambles, York: founded by BBC Radio York journalist Jerry Ibbotson, these dedicated audio workshops developed the sound for a million-selling Playstation2 game

Salamander Organization, York Science Park: provides software and services for huge companies such as Hewlett-Packard, the Ministry of Defence and TNT Express

Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, University of York: awarded one of the Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education yesterday, it researches ways to build on plants' capacity to make useful products.

Festival highlights

March 7: Alice and Bob in the Quantum Wonderland - York University's Professor Tony Sudbery explains how quantum mechanics can be harnessed in super-powerful computing and code-breaking

March 8: York Astronomical Society Public Star Party - look through their telescopes to see star clusters and galaxies over Knavesmire

March 9: Popular Science Quiz Challenge - if you want to enter a team, contact Rose Lindsay Smith at Science City York on (01904) 554533

March 15: The Science of Emotions - Glyn Blackett of York Biofeedback Centre asks: what happens in the brain and body when we get all emotional?

All week: Special Brewery Science Tour - discover how York Brewery concoct their delicious beers and enjoy a free half at the end

For more information, see: www.sciencecityyork.org.uk/community/

Burning questions

Now's your chance to find the answer to that question which has bugged you for years. Why is the sea salty? Why are there only two sexes? What exactly is fire? What is the point of ear hair? How long has the earth got?

We'll take any question under the sun - or beyond it for that matter - and, if it has a potentially scientific solution, we'll put it to our very own brains trust.

Those smart folk behind the York Festival Of Science And Technology have agreed to try to answer readers' scientific queries. And in a way we can all understand.

Please send your question, with your name, address and daytime telephone number, to Chris Titley, Science Question, Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN, or chris.titley@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 08:48 Friday, February 17, 2006