The power of science to lift the educational outcomes of Indigenous high school students in regional areas has been highlighted during a national conference on engagement in higher education at Charles Sturt University (CSU).

The National Indigenous Science Education Program (NISEP), a joint project between CSU, Macquarie University, high schools and community members, has featured during this week's Engagement Australia Conference, Engage and Innovate for Sustainability in Wagga Wagga.

Associate Professor Paul Prenzler from CSU's School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences said, "This program has shown the transforming power of science and community engagement in higher education".

A grant from the Australian Government's Inspiring Australia strategy led to the inaugural NISEP interactive science show in Wagga Wagga in 2012 at Mount Austin High School, where more than a third of students are Indigenous.

Science shows were expanded in 2013 to include all Year 7 students at Mount Austin High School, parents and members of the Indigenous community. The program now includes events like tertiary education Open Days, Science Experience and National Science Week.

"Feedback from students and school teachers shows that the program has led to an increased interest in education and even opened up the possibility of tertiary education," Professor Prenzler said.

"Some students have transformed from showing little interest in schools to looking at doing the Higher School Certificate and aspiring to university. They have gone on to be demonstrators at national science shows and presenting their experiences at conferences."

A NISEP training day for Indigenous students will be held at CSU's National Life Sciences Hub at Wagga Wagga from 10.15 am to 1.30 pm on Thursday 24 July.

"The day aims to equip students with the skills to conduct science experiments and then return to their schools and demonstrate them to younger students. We aim to develop leadership and communication skills," Professor Prenzler said.

Wiradjuri Elders will attend the event to observe the students in action.

The program for the NISEP Training Day at CSU in Wagga Wagga is available here.

Read more about NISEP in CSU News here.