DR VAILLE Dawson believes students should be taught to think about and discuss issues at school.

“Without values, we have no knowledge or understanding,” she said.

And she thinks that science is one of the key areas to teach students about having educated opinions.

“Science is not just a body of knowledge, it requires a certain set of values to intepret.”

Dr Dawson is speaking from experience, having taught secondary school science for a number of years after completing her biomedical science degree.

During her years as a teacher, Dr Dawson completed her PhD in teaching ethics and methods.

However, Dr Dawson has abandoned the classroom for the lecture theatre this year, taking the position as Murdoch University’s Science Teacher in Residence.

As well as training budding young science teachers, Dr Dawson will be working with other Murdoch researchers to develop online curriculum material in biotechnology and food science for the Farm to Plate Initiative - a three-year grant funded by the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs.

This $1.5 million program, which is run by collaboration between Murdoch and Curtin Universities, will encourage communication and training flow between universities, schools and industry about biotechnology and food science.

“I will be working with secondary schools to encourage the inclusion of latest technology and issues about this science into the curriculum,” she said.

“This will not only encourage young people to consider a career in this growing industry, but also give them the tools to make informed decisions about issues such as genetically modified foods.

“In particular, we will be focusing on students in rural and remote communities.”

Along with boosting secondary curriculum biotechnology content, the Farm to Plate Initiative will also develop modules and accreditation packages for teachers and workers in the food industry.