In this edition:
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News From the Deane |
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Inspiring Indigenous Students with Science |
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Opportunities |
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Events |
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Snippets | |
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Science News Archive | |
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News from the Dean |
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Dear Colleagues, Welcome back to second semester teaching! I hope all those conference presentations went well and lead to even more fruitful national and international collaborations. Last week we welcomed 3 of our new CoRE appointees - Craig O'Neill, Earth and Planetary Evolution; Ian Paulsen and Nicki Packer, Biomolecular Frontiers as well as our other new recruit Tim Flannery. Thank you to those who turned up to the afternoon tea - a good chance for transdisciplinary mingling and thank you as ever to our great Department/Divisional staff who did all the behind the scenes organisation. The Federal Government has released the details of priority themes for Australian Development Research Awards (Aus AID) as well as the funds allocation. There are some areas relevant to the Division's research. Details are at http://www.ausaid.gov.au/research/default.cfm Congratulations to Curtis Rigney who has received funding from CPD under the Carrick grants scheme to look at the Impact of Web-based lecture technology on Learning and Teaching. Finally, Science week is fast approaching on 18-24 August. This year DEST and CSIRO, led by the Chief Scientist, Dr Jim Peacock, have initiated a project to have a scientist give a talk in all school areas in Australia on the 17th August. They are soliciting volunteers and have funds to send people to "bush" locations. If you would like to do this - register on the web site and they will get in touch with you - www.scientistsinschools.edu.au or phone Marion Heard (02) 62766589. Till next week, Liz |
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Inspiring Indigenous Students with Science
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A lack of education within Indigenous communities can lead to other social problems such as unemployment, poverty and low self esteem, but this month a group of young Indigenous students have acted to inspire hundreds of their peers to finish high school and build careers in science. Only 29 per cent of Indigenous students currently complete Year 12, compared to 65 per cent of the broader Australian community. Even more disconcerting, of the 9004 university science graduates in 2005, only 25 were Indigenous. To help counter these trends, the Macquarie University-based Indigenous Bioresources Research Group, the Vice-Chancellor's Office and the Western Sydney Office of the NSW Department of Education and Training conducted a two-day science experience with Indigenous student demonstrators at the Dunheved Campus of Chifley College on July 18 and 19. A group of Macquarie University student volunteers from ELS also gave generously of their time through the week assisting with setting up and training the high school student demonstrators. Around 450 high school students attended the event, which involved activities ranging from hands-on chemistry, microbiology activities and entomological exhibits, to careers, scholarships and further education information. "The event is intended to stimulate interest in the sciences and promote further education opportunities amongst Indigenous students," says one of the organisers, Associate Professor Joanne Jamie of Macquarie University. "Its part of a much larger program initiated in response to Aboriginal community concerns about poor school retention rates in their young people." The event was an unqualified success, with Diane Fairweather, head science teacher at Dunheved commenting that "The student leaders enjoyed the week and impressed me with talents that I had never seen in them before. Some are even considering university as an option." The week's activities concluded with a visit to Macquarie University by the 14 student volunteers from the Western Sydney schools involved and their Aboriginal Education Assistants. The group were shown around the University, enjoying a chance to handle the live exhibits in the Biology Museum, hearing first-hand accounts from the staff at Warawara Aboriginal Education Unit about how they progressed to university and seeing the other facilities available in SAM and around the campus. The day ended with a special awards ceremony and lunch, hosted by Professor Steven Schwartz in the Vice-Chancellor's function room. All the student volunteers involved were presented with a certificate and letter of recommendation, acknowledging their involvement and commending them for their efforts. "Our media are full of stories about crises but there is a "Quiet Crisis" that is not getting much publicity - the decline in students studying science," said Professor Schwartz. "Our future health and prosperity depends on our growing more innovative scientists. "We at Macquarie want to do something about this quiet crisis, which is why we are partnering with schools in Sydney and in the regions to train science teachers, develop new science courses, mentor school science students, assist students to enter science programmes at university and to make science careers more popular. Training Indigenous students is particularly important."
Vice Chancellor Professor Steven Schwartz Plays Host to Student Visitors Thanks to Greg Welsh, Acting Media Manager, for this story and photo. |
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Opportunities |
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_________________________________________________________ Scientists in Schools: Link up and Learn Register today for Scientists in Schools - a new learning experience that allows scientists and schools to work together across Australia. The Scientists in Schools programme allows scientists to work with one or more schools in a style that suits you and the school involved. You will provide valuable ideas and inspiration for teachers and students; in turn, you will receive a fresh perspective on science from your contact with the classroom environment. The programme is open to research scientists and engineers as well as people involved in applied sciences, such as doctors, vets, park rangers and so on. What’s involved? For example, you could: Invite a class to visit your workplace
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Events |
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_________________________________________________________ Porosity: A new science to redefine urban planning Artist and architect Prof Richard Goodwin discusses urban planning amidst the "Homes in the Sky" exhibition on apartment living in Australia at the Museum of Sydney. When: 6pm, 1 August _________________________________________________________
Jack Beale Memorial Lecture on Global Environment The Australia India Business Council and The University of New South Wales have pleasure in inviting you to attend the Jack Beale Memorial Lecture on Global Environment delivered by Dr Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of the IPCC. Rajendra will discuss: “Coping with Climate Change: Is Development in India and the World Sustainable?” When: Thursday 9th August 2007, 6:00pm - 7:30pm _________________________________________________________
Out of the Box 2 "Houses in the Sky" or medium density living? Which way should we head on our path to arrest the housing and environment crises facing our communities? What can we do to make the space we occupy more environmentally friendly? Peter Droege hosts a discussion with Tina Engelen, Kim Crestani, and Stephanie Smith and Ken McBryde from Innovarchi, on the future of ecologically sustainable housing design. Curator Caroline Butler-Bowdon hosts a walk through of the Homes in the Sky exhibition at 6pm before the discussion. Cost: $20 general, $15 conc _________________________________________________________
Biological Sciences Seminar Dr. Jonathan Balcombe (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Washington DC)
_________________________________________________________ ELS Seminar Series Departments in ELS host seminars covering a wide range of topics associated with ongoing research projects and other areas of interest. The seminars are delivered by academics, research staff, and students from within the Division, as well as guest speakers from other institutions and industry. Details of times, dates, locations and topics of seminars to be held over the next few weeks are listed here.
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Snippets
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Kid bees controlled with chemicals Following dad's footsteps into manhood Slide rule helps children sleep sound We walk into the future backward Rising HIV due to risky relationships Test to personalise HIV medicine Anear total ban on domestic travel could delay the spread of a flu pandemic by a week or more, particularly if the outbreak originates in a regional town or small city, according to new modelling. __________________________________________
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