NEWS RELEASE
November 11 2002
UniSA
sets up class for the Einsteins of the future
If
the sciences have a fashion cycle - chemistry and physics have been
“out” for quite a few years. But it is these scientific staples that
we can expect to underpin some of the greatest leaps forward in the new
millennium - in technology, space research, human health and the
environment. So it makes sense that nurturing the next generation of
Einsteins is an investment set to pay off.
UniSA
and four local schools - Enfield and Para Hills High, Valley View
Secondary School and Windsor Gardens Vocational College - have joined
forces to give the year 12 physics and chemistry students a head start in
their careers.
The
cooperative venture SMS@UniSA, will
see stage 2 PES Physics and Chemistry taught in a university environment
from 2003. Students from all four schools will come together at UniSA’s
Mawson Lakes Campus to hone their skills in an educational environment
that will give them access to more sophisticated labs and special teaching
and research exposure to university lecturers and PhD students.
SMS@UniSA
will be launched by UniSA’s Pro Vice Chancellor for IT Engineering and
the Environment, Professor Robin King and Department of Education and
Children Services, Central North East, District Superintendent, Mr Jim
Davies tonight at 6.15 at UniSA’s Mawson Lakes campus, with parents,
students and teachers attending from all four schools involved.
According
to UniSA’s Dean of Teaching and Learning for the Division of Information
Technology, Engineering and the Environment, Associate Professor Brenton
Dansie, the innovative partnership will give the students a real advantage
in their science careers.
“Students
will have access to a wider range of experiments and extension activities
so that they can more fully explore their passion and talent for physics
and chemistry,” Prof Dansie said. It will also mean that they will get a
special insight into how these two fields of science are applied in a
whole range of real life industries, from mining and motor manufacture
through to medicine and communications.
“The
other bonus of learning on a university campus is that the student will
know what to expect from university life and study and see more clearly
where their future degree in science may take them.”
Principal
of Valley View Secondary School, Liz Mead says SMS@UniSA
promises to build confidence in science students in the central northeast
area.
“Traditionally
our suburbs have been underrepresented in the number of students going on
to university to study sciences,” Ms Mead said.
“Across
the four schools involved in this initiative, class sizes for physics and
chemistry are often small and under resourced. Bringing the students
together in the format planned through SMS@UniSA will mean students are
involved with a larger group of like-minded students and a more lively
learning environment.
“Teachers
too will be able to teach as a team, giving them a more diverse and
powerful basis for teaching physics and chemistry. The bonus of
interaction in a university environment is set to extend teachers and
students and develop a much more dynamic educational environment.
“Ultimately
we believe this will be an enormous encouragement for students to take on
these subjects and want to go on to university and extend their education
further.”
More
information:
Liz Mead, Principal Valley View Secondary School (08) 8360 6111
Associate Professor Brenton Dansie, UniSA (08) 8302 3122
Media
contact: Michèle Nardelli (08) 8302 0966 or 041 8823673
email: michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
