Unis join forces to tackle Australia's science shortfall

A new program developed collaboratively by five Australian universities to combat the continuing decline in science learning was launched by Federal Minister for Science, Peter McGauran, at Macquarie University in May.

The Science Education program – incorporating a Masters, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate in Science Education – was developed by the University of Western Sydney, Macquarie University, Murdoch University, Charles Sturt University and the University of New England under DEST Science Lectureship grant funding.

In response to a perceived continuing decline in tertiary science enrolments, the Australian Council of Deans of Science commissioned a substantive Australia wide review of science enrolments at both secondary and tertiary level. This study clearly showed a decline in student engagement with the basic, enabling sciences of physics, chemistry, mathematics and to a lesser extent biology, both in secondary schools and at universities.

As the future of Australian science rests on the foundations laid down in secondary school, the Science Education program specifically aims to provide professional development for secondary school science teachers in areas at the leading edge of science. Its objective is to instill interests and competencies in these teachers and their students in anticipation of a positive flow-on effect into the tertiary sector as well as improving the general scientific literacy of the community and decision-makers in business and government. These teachers will be able to study on line from their own homes all over Australia and complete the MSc part time while continuing with their teaching careers.

Murdoch University will offer a range of advanced units for participants including Greenhouse Science, Science Communication, Forensic Science, Energy in Society, Resources Recycling and Food Science and Biotechnology.

This program will use modern on line learning techniques and Murdoch University was chosen as the WA node because of its recognised expertise in on line and external studies.