Program identifies science’s bright new STARS
July 2007
In the quest to spark and maintain senior school students' passion for science, education's traditional three Rs have been superceded by the three Es - excitement, enlightenment and engagement.
A new science outreach program known as STARS (Students and Teachers Accessing Research Scientists) was launched this month with a week-long program for around 80 Year 11 students from more than 50 schools throughout Victoria, as well as four international participants on exchange from England.
Devised by the University of Melbourne’s Dr Roger Rassool (senior lecturer, School of Physics) and held in collaboration with Melbourne’s Gene Technology Access Centre, STARS helps students and their teachers engage directly with top scientists and postgraduate researchers through a diverse range of activities.
The teenagers lived on campus at the University’s St Mary’s residential college for the duration of the program, and conducted experiments in physics, chemistry, mathematics, molecular and cell biology, zoology and earth sciences, and studied the history and philosophy of science.
In addition to field excursions to Melbourne’s Scienceworks museum and an astronomical observation session, the group undertook a memorable day trip to the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor in Sydney.
"We love maintaining the spark and the imagination, and our presentations are a marriage of theatre, magic, drama and science," Dr Rassool said.
"These students are in year 11, they are going to do science in their final years at school and, hopefully, beyond. So we want to see if we can kick-start them into excelling in the subject.
"The aim of STARS is to create a pathway in science."
STARS allows students and their teachers to broaden their knowledge and appreciation of science through practical engagement with like-minded peers, and by utilising the University's innovative, state-of-the-art facilities.
It also provides an opportunity for the University to build and maintain a strong relationship with the next generation of science leaders, and it enables University students to apply directly to the community the knowledge that they have gained.
STARS, along with its affiliate outreach programs MUPPETS and WARP (which are designed to enthrall younger secondary students) exemplify the concept of knowledge transfer and the two-way engagement between the University and the community.
Dr Rassool said the success of STARS, which is supported through the generosity of the Colonial Foundation, is enhanced by the fact it has been willingly embraced by teachers and University students, who recognise the long-term benefits of further stimulating the research aspirations of young science enthusiasts.
"Our physics department, and the University's faculty of science in general, is fortunate to have such magnificently engaged, keen tertiary students available for this program," he said.
"These are students who see the relevance of sharing their knowledge, and appreciate the value of being able to engage with the wider community.
"They are the heart of what we do."