Illawarra Environmental Education Centre recently ran a series of camps for
primary and junior high school students designed to engage and inspire
students in the environmental sciences. While I was a PhD student in
Environmental Science I was fortunate to be invited to participate as a
scientist in residence for part of the program. I was in awe of the
students’ innate fascination with nature and ability to understand the
scientific process. Their experimental design capabilities seemed to be more
attuned than the first year uni students I was used to teaching! This made
me realise the importance of nurturing and encouraging interest in science
from a young age through mentoring. I also learnt about the power of
narrative while working on these camps. I realised that sharing my story in
a personal way with these youngsters was more effective in encouraging their
interest in science than trying to teach them what I know about science.
Shortly after this experience I was employed by the Faculty of Science at
the University of Wollongong to do just that, encourage interest in science
in
schools. My role as the Schools Liaison Officer involves conducting a range
of science education and promotion activities.
In January 2008 UOW hosted the 17
th annual Siemens Science
Experience. This event has been very successful in encouraging students to
explore their options in science at a critical time just before they select
their year 11 and 12 science subjects. A key feature of this event is the
participation of student volunteers from University of Wollongong and Young
Scientists of Australia. Student volunteers mentor small teams of students
throughout the three days of hands on science. Participants get a great deal
out of interacting with their group leaders and the evaluation forms, which
they complete at the end, demonstrates this: “my group leaders are really
cool, they made it really fun”.
In recent years, the University in association with a group of school
teachers, including the contagiously enthusiastic Dr Kerry Kimbrey, has
hosted the major Illawarra Coal Regional Science Fair. Hundreds of schools
students conduct their own research project, display their results on a
board and then explain their projects to a series of judges in a fun
competition, just like on the Simpson’s. The success of the event, initially
held at St Joseph’s Catholic High School, attracted an ASISTM grant.
Generous corporate sponsorship has allowed us to provide trophies and cash
prizes. The effect of this is that primary and high school students are
suddenly shot to stardom as they accept their trophy, cash prize, are
photographed by newspapers, and filmed by TV crews recognising that
achievement in science is seen as “really cool”. The next Illawarra Coal
Regional Science fair is on Tuesday 28 October,
www.uow.edu.au/science/regionalsciencefair/.Why not volunteer to be a
judge and share in the excitement?
Modern Perspectives in Science, is a Board Endorsed, subject that provides
high achieving students the opportunity to complete a university level
subject while in year 11. Students participate in practical activities in
UOW laboratories, complete laboratory reports, and participate in online
learning. Mentor teachers in each participating school provide ongoing
support to students participating in the subject, contributing to the
success of students in the subject. While the subject caters for both girls
and boys, it is particularly effectively for girls because it provides an
opportunity to recognise their talent in science, sometimes girls more than
boys benefit from being told “you are really good at this!”
Another program I have recently had the privilege to be involved in is Young
Tall Poppies. Young Tall Poppies provides inspiring role models to senior
high school girls. I recently participated in a seminar and was also
inspired by the amazing career adventures that these women have had to
achieve outstanding research.
The Australian Government Scientists in Schools Program was launched in 2007
and I set about actively encouraging UOW scientists to register and
participate in the program. I was pleased that many of our scientists were
keen and we were able to send one of our early career scientists Dr Tracey
Kuit to the inaugural conference. I signed up and I was promptly matched
with a primary school teacher. I inquired if my colleagues had also been
matched with a school and I was surprised to find that some had not been
matched straight away because they had specified that they would prefer a
high school. With a little encouragement and the reminder that primary
school teachers rarely have a science background and really appreciate links
with scientists, I encouraged some of our scientists to step out of their
comfort zone and visit a primary school. They too discovered that primary
school students are naturally curious about how the world works and actually
love to design and conduct their own experiments! I believe that if this
natural enthusiasm for science is not nurtured it can diminish by the time
students are making their university course choices.
Together with other faculty staff and students, I regularly attend careers
markets and information evenings. This is an effective way to communicate
our course options to prospective students. But more than that it is an
opportunity for students to meet the real scientist that they will be taught
by and perhaps perform research with in the future. The faces of prospective
students really light up when they realise they are speaking with a real
live biochemist or marine scientist. Likewise, the opportunity for a year 11
student to chat with a first year student who is loving their course, can
really cement a student’s decision to work hard in year 12 chemistry so they
are prepared to go to University to study nanotechnology or environmental
science.
Why do I do what I do? Well it’s my job and I love it and I’d do it even if
I wasn’t getting paid. I encourage all WISENet members to seek out
opportunities to mentor school student. I’m sure many of you already do and
are richer for it.
One of my partners in promotion
Here at the University of Wollongong I am fortunate to be surrounded by
enthusiastic undergraduate and post graduate students who help me immensely
in what I do. A student that springs to mind is Kimberly Davis, one of our
Bachelor of Science Advanced Honours students and part of my Science Mentor
team. Kimberly has mentored High School students as they prepare for the
Regional Science Fair, lead groups of year nine students participating in
the Siemens Science Experience and recently shared her experiences as a
science student by speaking to hundreds of visiting year 12 students during
UOW Discovery Days. If Kimberly stays with us to continue her science
research with a PhD, which I think she might, it won’t be long before she is
running into students on campus, as I do, who come up and say “I choose to
study science at this Uni because you spoke to us and made it sound cool”.
