It’s the summer holidays and high school students around Australia have participated or are participating in science summer programs designed to show teenagers different aspects of science and engineering to encouraging them to consider careers in science. I attended one myself just before entering the final year of high school. I knew I wanted to do something related to science but I had no idea what and had even less of an idea how to beyond getting into university. After five days spent at a university, I had a better idea and more importantly no longer frightened by the prospect of walking into a laboratory at a university.
With the successes that I have had since my experience of a science summer school, I have a soft spot for them. I’m always happy to volunteer as a chaperone, speaker, or even run a lab activity. I love talking to the kids that attend especially when they realise they are in a place where they can talk freely about what they want to do in science. The conversation goes both ways and I am honest about what I’ve done in science and also about the times of difficulty as a scientist. If the kids are going to be honest then I too must be honest.
Often the reason trotted out for fostering a new generation of would-be scientists is that it’s safeguarding the future and ensuring that scientific research continues in Australia. Another reason which I think is more important is that with the new blood is that someone has an entirely new way of interpreting the science in front of them leading to new discoveries and progress. These are the things that bring excitement into science and keeps things moving.
I have recently come across the Aboriginal Summer School for Excellence in Technology and Science, (ASSETS), run by the Royal Institution of Australia. I think it’s a brilliant programme. It takes in 30 Year 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from across Australia at no cost to them to take part in a nine day program of science, engineering and mathematics in a diverse range of scientific fields. Directly from the RiAus ASSETS website:
The Aboriginal Summer School for Excellence in Technology and Science (ASSETS) program is for Year 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from around Australia with an aptitude for mathematics and science. The nine-day residential summer school in Adelaide is open to students from all Australian states and territories. It is cost free, including return travel, for successful applicants. Accommodation is provided at Wiltja Residence, a successful long term Indigenous boarding school facility.
Participants undertake an academic program in science, technology and mathematics at the Australian Science and Mathematics School. They are required to meet rigorous academic demands in such areas of study as:
- Nanotechnology
- Photonics
- Aerospace science
- Environmental science
- Biotechnology
- Health science
- Geosciences
- Mathematical sciences
There is also a cultural and social program that includes interaction with role models and exploring participants’ language group backgrounds to encourage personal growth and nurture leadership qualities.
As a trained scientist, I’m pretty very excited about the program and wish I could sign up. It’s an incredibly diverse program and I’m always wanting to learn more and more curiosity than a litter of kittens. So what do the students think?
It is really heartwarming to see students from previous years of participating in ASSETS earning a place at university and working towards a career in science.
You can read more of Dannielle Ghezzi’s story here. The RiAus is currently running a microdonation campaign online in an effort to fund at least one student place in the ASSETS program. There is a a disparity in the levels of education and health of Indigenous Australians and the wider population of Australia and there are many initiatives to help close this cap. This initiative resonates with me because it has the very real potential of doing both. Many of the problems in Indigenous communities can be solved with science and technology but before that education is needed, not just for people living in those communities but also the education of the future leaders of those communities. If you’re able, consider donating to the ASSETS program and help close the gap. It’s an atrocity in 2012 Australia.
