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Australian Academy of Science Science at the Shine Dome Canberra, 30 April – 2 May 2003 |
Feedback from teachers in previous years
Letter from Rebecca Hack, Emerald State High School, Queensland Dear Professor Barber You probably have absolutely no idea who I am. I met you at the Academy of Science dinner in Canberra back in May (I was the teacher seated at your table). You set up contact for me with Prof Lesley Rogers at UNE. I just wanted to write to you to tell you that we have had a fabulously successful experience following the symposium. Kestrel Coal paid for 20 Biology students to go out to their boardroom at the mine site and use their videoconference facilities. We had a 1 1/2 hour hookup with Lesley and several of her PhD students. They had video footage, live animals, overheads etc, and shared some of their work with us. The students were able to participate fully and asked lots of questions. The local paper ran a brief story about the Videoconference and the students found it a very rewarding experience. It promoted Science, the Academy and partnerships between businesses and schools all in one hit!!!. Thank you for helping me to make it possible! On another note, I just wanted to share with you how one teacher attending the symposium can have a positive impact on many people. I have never applied for an award before. I thought the work we do here is the same as anywhere else. I put in for the award to attend the symposium because it was the last year I would be eligible (I'm officially too old next year – sigh!!) I was so inspired by going to Canberra that I now have the confidence to promote Science and our innovative programs in a range of forums. By the end of October I will have presented at three conferences. I was also selected as the only teacher to participate on an International think-tank to develop a new multi-million dollar Questacon program. (They invited me to apply after feedback from my presentation at the teachers program at the Academy symposium). I feel like I am really able to make a difference now. WIN TV (our local Channel 9) have done two stories on our programs at the school, we have had extensive coverage in the local paper, and I have done a couple of Science spots on the local radio. I really believe that all of this flowed from my wonderful experience in Canberra in May. So thank you to the Academy for extending their annual symposium to a handful of Science teachers from around the country. Future scientists are initially inspired in our classrooms. If we don't catch them there we lose great minds to other careers, so it IS really worthwhile.
Rebecca Hack
Letter from Peter Tuohy, Centralian College, Alice Springs, NT Dear Professor Anderson, I write to express my gratitude for the opportunity to attend Science at the Shine Dome this year. It was certainly the brightest professional development opportunity I have had the pleasure to undertake in many years. Each day since I have found associations between what my students are learning in Senior Biology classes and topics covered by the New Fellows, in particular, and the symposium speakers. I have enjoyed recounting, for instance, the scientist's dilemma portrayed in Ian Ritchie's presentation, the relevance of Fiona Stanley's work to an understanding of the circumstances of many children in Alice Springs schools, and what came to me as something of a revelation in Michael Archer's platypus fossils in, was it Patagonia? The symposium speakers were equally inspiring – 'Green Coal' 'Clean Coal', nuclear back on the agenda? multidisciplinary approaches to addressing issues of sustainability, geothermal mud! Again, thank you. Thanks also to Academy staff involved in organising the event including, if I may say so, Megan Rogers for her skilful attention to travel and accommodation details. I will long remember the entire experience.
Peter Tuohy
Comments from teachers in 2002
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