March - July 2002
ANU Schools Program Report
March - July 2002
In September - November 2001, an initial cam-paign of school outreach was completed. Over the 4 months (March-July 2002), the existing materials and lectures were improved and further presentations were made to senior students at schools in the ACT and regional NSW to encourage chemistry study at the tertiary level.
As a result of this work a large number of students have been credibly encouraged to study chemistry, and were stimulated by sophisticated chemistry. Academic staff have been introduced to this pool of future students and colleagues.
A
folder was delivered to each student, and extra copies left with the school
careers advisers. The folders contained in this colourful printed cover
were:
During the course of the program some sixty ACT colleges and surrounding NSW High Schools were contacted. This was generally by direct telephone contact to careers advisers or head science teachers. We visited seventeen of these schools, reaching a total of 700 students. Typically, there were 40 students (minimum 20, maximum 80), from years 11 and 12.
These visits to the schools were presented as a one hour lecture and discussion period to each group. In many cases this was to a combined year 11/12 Chemistry group, but in larger schools up to four separate presentations were made, sometimes including all science year 11/12 and year 10 chemistry students.
A twenty minute presentation was aimed at describing to the students chemistry as a tool that enables choices and rewards in their career and study. This was done by describing the surprisingly varied jobs that use chemistry, and the types of chemical knowledge required. The facilities and qualifications associated with an ANU degree were also described.
This was followed by a 40 minute presentation by an ANU staff member, especially designed for this audience. Five presentations were developed.
These were:
School Students and Researchers.
Staff researchers enjoyed the tour and lecture series. It did not impact significantly on their work load and provided, for some the first time, an audience of interested and intelligent adolescent scientists. This positive experience was relayed to other staff members through tea room chitter-chat. At every school the scientific content of the lectures were well received by some members of the audience, and at most schools a group of people identified themselves scientist who had intentions to pursue tertiary education, and who clearly had benefitted from the inforamtion we had brought to them.
Teachers and Researchers.
Each of the teachers met at the schools expressed confidence and support for the lecture program, and felt that the small period of direct contact with enthusiastic researchers and credible advice was appropriate to achieve those aims. During conversations with teachers and careers advisors the provision of unused chemistry equipment to schools, the research participation of students, and the ANU entry in the university entrance guide were discussed as ways of improving chemistry enrolments.
Students and Industry.
Industry, finance, and economics were discussed throughout the careers and research lectures, as the fiscal realities are unavoidable. Two of the researchers incorporated their respective industrial interests (mining and pharmaceuticals) lectures. The students also had an opportunity to peruse promotional and corporate material from a range of chemical companies, and the range of career opportunities was clearly news to almost all students.
Click here if you would like to refer to some recent important papers.
Click here to view some photographs from the recent summer school.
Click here to view some photographs from the winter field trips.