The PICSE Newsletter

Science Links

Based within the School of Agriculture at the Cradle Coast Campus of the University of Tasmania the ASISTM – “Regional Partnerships in Science and Education” project connects schools, industries, science-based organisations and the university in order to create real outcomes for students. The project is supported by a parent project at the School of Agricultural Science at the Cradle Coast Campus entitled “Skilling the Cradle Coast”.

This project has complimentary aims and outcomes and as such, provides an opportunity to share some of the financial and time commitments required to maximise the impact of the varied aspects of the project.

This project has been successful in delivering sustainable outcomes to students in schools by utilising teacher associates, non-school organisations and re-invigorated teachers to build student research teams between cluster schools, to collaborate on common topics. The Science Education Officer used this project as a vehicle to bring selected students to science camps, to develop a program of online interaction between geographically isolated students, as well as bringing teachers and industry scientists together to produce teaching resources, some of which have been incorporated in this publication “Science Links: Teachers and Local Industries”.

The UTAS Cradle Coast Science Fair, which was jointly funded by the “Skilling the Cradle Coast” and “Regional Partnerships in Science and Education” projects, also proved to be an important process to actively engage students in the excitement of “doing science”. Student investigations covered a broad range of topics and were required to show evidence of scientific inquiry. The combination of rich learning tasks for students, the relevance of science to real life and the educational benefits from a school perspective, demonstrated the value of “Scientific Investigations for Students”.

Science Links (PDF 7.6MB)

PICSE Scoping Study

This scoping study commissioned by Dr Brendan Nelson in 2006, on how to implement a proven yet flexible method of attracting high calibre, professional, young people from schools, through university and then into scientific careers in primary industry nationally. This study was delivered to Minister Bishop in September 2006. This process has been strongly supported by Mark Baker MP. It built on a model funded by GRDC that is currently in operation in Tasmania and WA that is managed by University of Tasmania and UWA. The model has been piloted in the Riverland, SA during 2006 and supported by Flinders University and HAL. This will create future leaders and innovators that add real value to rural and regional Australia.

The Centre will provide the opportunity for Universities, Primary Industries, State Government Departments, DAFF, DOTARS and DEST to collaborate, with strong industry support through the Rural RDC’s through state and regional partnerships.

A pilot "roll-out" has been funded by DEST for six universities in Tasmania, WA, SA, NSW and Queensland, for the period of February to June 2007. For further details, contact Dr David Russell, School of Agricultural Science, University of Tasmania, Phone 03 6430 4935 or David.Russell@utas.edu.au

PICSE Scoping Study (PDF 6.8MB)

Executive Summary (PDF 7.02MB)