After her recent visit to Curtin University for The Science Experience summer school, the Hon. Kate Doust MLC has emphasised the importance of varied and engaging science outreach programs in Western Australia.
The Shadow Minister for Energy, Science and Innovation said engaging in effective science outreach programs was key in attracting school students to potential future careers in various fields of science as well as ensuring WA remained competitive with the rest of the world.
“Over the next few years, Western Australia needs to enhance our science education programs to increase the number and quality of young people taking on science and innovation as a career choice,” Ms Doust said.
“By doing this, we can capitalise on the needs of the resources industry, our excellent medical research facilities and projects like the National Broadband Network and the Square Kilometre Array so that we create a world class hub of science and innovation to boost our local economy for decades to come.”
Ms Doust said it was vitally important for Government to invest in ensuring children were given every chance to learn and study science in their classrooms and to consider a career in any number of exciting scientific fields.
“It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm of so many students who were genuinely excited by having three days of discovering and learning about such a diverse range of science at Curtin,” she said.
“The presenters are to be commended for such a well run program that was able to deliver such an array of scientific information in a fun and exciting way.
“I offer my congratulations to the staff and presenters at Curtin University and the Science Schools Foundation for running this excellent program.”
Curtin Outreach Coordinator, Emma Donnelly, said science was integral in everyday life and more scientists were needed to solve the problems of the future.
“By offering opportunities through Curtin’s Science Outreach program, we aim to be able to show students and the community how exciting and diverse science is with the hope that more people choose careers in science related sectors,” Ms Donnelly said.
Contact:
Andrea Barnard, Public Relations, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 4241, Mobile: 0401 103 532, Email: andrea.barnard@curtin.edu.au
Web: http://curtin.edu.au
