Today’s physics news: Thursday, 25 February

School science needs shake-up
Following the publication of a report by the Science and Learning Expert Group, news sites are commenting on the need for a science shake-up.  The different papers pick on different aspects of the report, from the need to increase the difficulty of science exams to the lack of practical experimentation and the need for more specialist teachers.  The Institute has responded to the report.

BBC
Times
Guardian
IOP response

Drayson concedes on independence of scientific advice
Appearing before the Parliamentary Science and Technology Committee, Lord Drayson, the UK’s science minister, has said that principles for independent scientific advice to ministers are likely to be changed to meet scientists’ demands. Drayson said that  a specific reference to the ‘academic freedom’ of advisors is likely to be inserted into the document and that the highly controversial reference to science advisors and ministers working to “reach a shared position” would be removed.

Nature

Royal Society stamps
A series of Royal Mail stamps has been produced to mark 350 years since the birth of the UK’s leading science organisation, the Royal Society.  Isaac Newton and Benjamin Franklin are two of the luminaries featured on the first class stamps.  All will appear alongside a graphic that represents their world-changing achievement.

Daily Telegraph
Physics World

Met office review climate data in bid for public trust
The Met Office has announced that it will review 150 years of climate data as part of a new comprehensive approach to analysing data.  They hope that the review will regain public trust after a series of recent publicity disasters for climate scientists.

Guardian
Times