May 20, 2014
Pre-service teacher notches milestone registration for science education program
University of Wollongong pre-service teacher Jacqueline Hancox was the 10,000th person to register to use the Australian Academy of Science’s new interactive high school science education program, Science by Doing.
Launched in December last year, Science by Doing is a free resource for Australian high schools. It brings together the latest in interactive technology with expertise in science and education to deliver the national science curriculum.
More than 10,000 teachers, students and parents have now registered to access the comprehensive online units, which use audio-visual content, practical exercises, games and activities to bring science alive for teachers and students in years 7 to 10.
Ms Hancox is completing her graduate diploma in education at UOW after already completing a degree in biotechnology at Charles Sturt University.
“I would love to be one of those teachers that a future successful scientist will cite as an inspiration for continuing a career in science,” Ms Hancox said.
“But more than that, I want all my learners to leave my classroom better equipped to handle all the information that they consume, to make useful and well-informed decisions in their lives.”
The Academy’s President Suzanne Cory said it was fantastic to see the growing interest and support of Science by Doing.
“It’s wonderful to see people like Jacqueline using the Science by Doing resources to encourage the next generation of Australian scientists,” Professor Cory said.
Ms Hancox and her education supervisor, Dr Noelene Weatherby-Fell from the School of Education (Shoalhaven Campus), will receive professional learning packs from Science by Doing to mark the milestone.
Science by Doing and the Academy’s primary school education program, Primary Connections, were allocated a $5 million over four years in the recent Federal Budget.
Educators, high school students and parents are welcome to sign up for Science by Doing at www.sciencebydoing.edu.au