A new program introducing science students in the ACT to experts in the science and engineering fields has been launched by the Minister for Education, Yvette Berry.
The Science Mentors ACT program, launched at Melrose High School, is an expansion of the Academic Curriculum Extension Science Mentors program initiated at Melrose in 2008.
Ms Berry said the program offered quality projects in fields such as physics, aeronautical engineering, forensics and gene research.
She said the program gave public school students across Canberra in Years 9-to-12 the opportunity to partner with the science and engineering professionals to design and conduct experiments, collect and analyse data, and report on their findings.
She said 56 students from various schools had met their mentors to discuss research topics as diverse as astronomy, pathology and ecology.
“It is great to see that almost 50 per cent of the students taking part in the Science Mentors ACT program are girls,” Ms Berry said.
“Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills are increasingly important for workplace innovation and productivity,” she said.
“Many growing and emerging industries will require people with STEM skills, so it is important that students develop these skills through their schooling.”
She said the commitment to STEM education included the establishment of the Centre for Innovation and Learning, a purpose-built STEM facility for ACT public school students in Tuggeranong, and the northside hub of the Academy of Future Skills at the University of Canberra Senior Secondary College, Lake Ginninderra, opening later this year.
