Researching with Scientists Project
The Researching with Scientists Project is a collaboration between the ACT Department of Education and Training and CSIRO. Researching with Scientists aims to provide closer links between the scientific and educational communities within the ACT, particularly the senior students and their teachers.
The project draws upon the resources contained within the ACT scientific research and industrial communities to provide opportunities for students and teachers to become more aware of science as it functions within our society, to learn of current scientific research and its applications, and to become involved in scientific research programs.
Information for Visiting International Scientists
and their Host Organi sations.
The Researching With Scientists project links leading edge research scientists , senior secondary students and ACT science teachers. The project is a collaborative venture between the ACT Department of Education and Training and CSIRO Education.
The aims of the Researching With Scientists project are:
- To raise the profile of science in schools by encouraging more students to participate in science subjects and to pursue related careers
- To enhance the teaching and learning of science
- To raise awareness of science and its application to everyday life for all students, including those who choose not to pursue science as a career.
Visiting scientists and their host organisations are invited to participate in the project.
Visiting scientists with dependents attending ACT government schools would normally pay international student fees. A 50% subsidy for dependents of visiting scientists may be granted if the visiting scientist qualifies, and agrees, with their host organization, to participate in the Researching With Scientists Project.
TO QUALIFY
WHO
Visiting scientists, with children enrolled in ACT g overnment schools and their host organisations. The definition of a ‘scientist’ is based on the areas specified in the ACT secondary school science curriculum. Further clarification can be sought from the Department of Education and Training’s Researching With Scientists, Curriculum Executive Officer.
WHERE
Canberra, ACT, Australia
WHY
The i nternational student fee subsidy is granted when scientists and/or their host organization agrees to provide educational input to science curriculum in ACT government senior secondary schools. Approval to participate in the project is contingent upon visiting scientists and/or their host organization demonstrating their capacity to enhance student learning in science. The ability of the scientist and/or their host organisation to provide appropriate opportunities for learning will need to be assessed and approved before a subsidy is granted.
HOW
The steps to participate in Researching with Scientists are:
- The organisation hosting the visiting scientist contacts the Researching With Scientists, Curriculum Executive Officer1, who, with the Manager of Curriculum, Development and Professional Learning2, determine whether the visiting scientist qualifies for participation in the Researching With Scientists project.
- The host organisation and visiting scientist, together with the Researching With Scientists, Curriculum Executive Officer and the Manager CSIRO Education3 , determine the appropriate contribution to the project. The contribution must be aimed at students in Years 10-12 and or teachers of science in ACT government schools
- When the visiting scientist arrives in Australia, the Researching With Scientists, Curriculum Executive Officer , is contacted to enroll the children of the visiting scientist at school
- The visiting scientist and/or their host organization submit the intended contribution to ACT government schools on arrival of the scientist to the Researching With Scientists, Curriculum Executive Officer. Dates for progress reports are negotiated with the Researching With Scientists, Curriculum Executive Officer and these are submitted in due course.
HOST AGENCY
The host agency is defined as that area of an organization that provides immediate supervision of the visiting scientist eg. CSIRO Plant Industry
The contribution to Researching with Scientists can be achieved in a number of ways:
- Identify programs already in place in your organisation that can be tailored to meet the requirements of teachers / students
- Identify scientists to be involved in the Student Research Scheme those willing to give talks to teachers, to students at schools, and those willing to be involved in a manner negotiated between scientist / teacher / school.( e.g. curriculum issues )
- Demonstrate the use and application of new technology either through teacher workshops, visits to schools or student visits to the scientist’s workplace
- Provide activities for students at schools or on your premises
- Interact with students at schools, by talks, debates, involvement in practical classes
- Provide Professional Development in areas that will appeal to teachers
- Deliver a human interest presentation to students about schooling and research / science opportunities in the scientist’s country of origin.
- As each organisation has different strengths, each will be able to develop a program with a different focus
Then
- Provide a list of scientists willing to participate and identify their areas of knowledge and expertise to the Researching With Scientists Curriculum Executive Officer
- Document your involvement in the Researching with Scientists project and provide this to the Researching With Scientists Curriculum Executive Officer
What you can contribute is limited only by your imagination and your ability to engage the target audience of teachers and students in Years 10, 11, and 12
STUDENT RESEARCH SCHEME
The Student Research Scheme provides Year 11 and 12 students the opportunity to work directly with a scientist on a research project of approximately 20 hours duration.. The times that the student attends the laboratory are negotiated between the student and scientist. The project is undertaken and completed between the months of May and September or as a block week in the July school holidays.
KEY ELEMENTS
- The involvement needs to be proactive and the contributions made before the visiting scientist’s departure
- The degree of involvement depends in part on the number of children attending school and the length of stay
Contact details
For fee subsidy / student enrolment
Researching With Scientists
Curriculum Executive Officer
CSIRO Education
PO Box 225
Dickson ACT 2602
Ph 02 6276 6062
Manager
Curriculum Development and Support
ACT Department of Education and Training
PO Box 1584
Tuggeranong ACT 2901
Ph 02 6205 8534
For scientists or host organisations wishing to negotiate participation in the scheme
Manager CSIRO Education
Researching With Scientists Program
CSIRO Education
PO Box 225
Dickson ACT 2602
