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The inspiring thing about Design and Technology is its pivotal role in creating the objects that surround us, define us and sometimes frustrate us. Going organic and "natural" may be the (commendable) trend of the moment, but it would be naive to ignore the enormous input designers and engineers have on our modern world. From the kettle that boils your morning brew to your electric toothbrush you use to polish up your smile, to the car you drive to work in, the disciplines of design and engineering have both had their say on your day - and it's only nine o'clock in the morning.
Despite this fundamental importance, when I resigned from my position as Chairman of the Design Museum last year, one of the criticisms pitted against me, was that I was living in the past. As my detractors see it, engineering is a relic of a by - gone age. And maybe they are right - Isambard Kingdom Brunel, my engineering hero if ever there was one, is long gone. But the fact that Brunel's functional and inspiring works which put Britain at the forefront of structural engineering continue to exist not only physically, but also in the psyche of the British public, convinces me that his legacy is something that should inspire us and that we should aspire to replicate - even in the 21st Century.
But there was more than just engineering in this debacle. What really got to my critics was the fact that I had criticised styling - celebrated through fashion pages, exhibitions of Manolo Blahnik stilettos and - the last straw for me - an exhibition on flower arranging. It's not that I am anti - styling; it's empty - styling that I object to: lazy design that neglects function.
In the context of our styling - happy media, I have sometimes been polarised as a lone - spokesman for the by - gone days of engineering, but after having discussed the issue at some length during the Dimbleby Lecture, the reaction tended to be that I had struck a chord: a chord in tune with a broad spectrum of the public, not least those of you working in the field of Design and Technology education.
With style exalted on high in today's youth culture, the challenge you face as teachers, advisers and inspectors of Design and Technology is a vital one: how do you enthuse people about the technology, the more challenging area of the subject. How do you promote the 'T' in D&T?
Well, you know much better than the media that this dual discipline doesn't have to be dichotomised - it is not a simple case of 'either, or'. The two skills work in tandem to captivate and exploit the natural curiosity and enthusiasm of our young people; giving them the skills and confidence to become independent and creative problem solvers. Whereas the abstract nature of pure maths or literary criticism can be a real turn - off for some children, Design and Technology has a huge selling point; you are applying knowledge to the real world and within the guiding structure of the design process, you actually make something.
So my view is that the future is bright, not just for D&T as a subject, but also for the children who study it. The fundamentals are in place to create the design engineers of tomorrow. Of course, the politics of education sometimes disappoint, but you are building on solid foundations. Get children to share our curiosity and enthusiasm for the inner - workings (not just the colour or shape) of the myriad objects that they use, and we are half way there. Then get them to create their own innovative solutions to problems and we are on track not only to excellence and enjoyment within the subject, but also to creating the next generations of, dare I say, Brunels.
Have a very enjoyable and productive conference.
