Science targeted in $2m program

FUN FIX: IGGS teacher Joan Riley with students Madeleine Lepine, Adriana Silcock and Jayde Mavrik.

Sarah Harvey

TWO Ipswich high schools will take part in a new $2 million program to encourage students to study science.

Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School and Toogoolawah Senior High School are among 185 Australian schools to trial the Science and Technology Education Leverag- ing Relevance (STELR) program.

Developed by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, the program includes a six-to-10- week module focusing on global warming, climate change, greenhouse effects, renewable energy, transformations and conservation.

Girls’ Grammar head of science Joan Riley said STELR would help build on the school’s science curriculum.

“There has been a concern in the general science community for some time about the falling number of students taking the subject. In that respect, STELR is extremely worthwhile,” Ms Riley said.

“If you can get students doing science that is applicable to their lives and fun then it’s something that stays with them.

“We look at things like genetic engineering and mobile phone and television technology; topical issues that engage the girls.”

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the program would help address skill shortages in technological careers and trades.

“I am very pleased to see that two of our local schools are involved in this project,” he said.

“The aim of this project is to get more students interested in learning about science. It will see teachers develop skills, with a focus on renewable energy.

“Classroom activities will encourage students to consider further study and careers in science and engineering.”