The Science Education program – incorporating a Masters, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate in Science Education – was developed by the University of Western Sydney, Macquarie University, Murdoch University, Charles Sturt University and the University of New England under DEST Science Lectureship grant funding.
In response to a perceived continuing decline in tertiary science enrolments, the Australian Council of Deans of Science commissioned a substantive Australia-wide review of science enrolments at both secondary and tertiary level. This study clearly showed a decline in student engagement with the basic, enabling sciences of physics, chemistry, mathematics and to a lesser extent biology, both in secondary schools and at universities.
As the future of Australian science rests on the foundations laid down in secondary school, the Science Education program specifically aims to provide professional development for secondary school science teachers in areas at the leading edge of science. Its objective is to instill interests and competencies in these teachers and their students in anticipation of a positive flow-on effect into the tertiary sector as well as improving the general scientific literacy of the community and decision-makers in business and government.
Science Education students complete two core subjects, The Nature of Teaching & Learning in Science (UWS), and Getting Practical: the Pedagogy of Laboratory Teaching & Learning (Macq) and then choose elective subjects from a range of specialist alternatives including Greenhouse Science (Murdoch), Teaching Astrophysics and Cosmology in Secondary School (UWS), Photonics (Macq), Teaching Environmental Health in Soil and Water Ecosystems (UNE) and Medical Imaging (CSU).
What: Launch of the Science Education program by Minister Peter McGauran
When: Thursday May 22 at 2.30 pm
Where: Function Room in E11A, Vice Chancellor’s Office, Macquarie University, North Ryde.
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