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Meeting of minds to overcome maths, science problems

February 22, 2005

SiMRR Conference0046.jpgA National Centre at the University of New England aimed at improving learning outcomes for students in mathematics, science and ICT will this week convene its members from across Australia.
The National Centre of Science, Information and Communication Technology, and Mathematics Education for Rural and Regional Australia (SIMERR) was opened at UNE last year by Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson.
Its main aim is to improve the quality of regional and rural students’ learning in mathematics, science and ICT, an issue that has received national attention since January, with Federal Education Minister Dr Brendan Nelson announcing a review of teacher education.
Today (February 22), university academics from across Australia will meet as part of the SiMERR National Centre to discuss ways of tackling underperformance of rural and regional students. It is the first time these educators, who are based in universities, outside UNE, have come together for a two-day intensive workshop.

Director of SiMERR, Professor John Pegg, said some of the projects to be discussed include a large National Survey of teachers, students and community members in rural and regional Australia.
“All students regardless of their geographic location deserve the opportunity to realize their academic potential. This meeting represents the first chance for university academics to address this issue across Australia in a coordinated and national way.”
Professor Victor Minichiello, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies, said the meeting was a way SiMERR could further develop its strategic plans and outcomes and would ultimately help governments in educational policy-making.
“The co-ordinators of the ‘hubs” from each of the states across Australia will be on campus to attend a workshop, with the aim of improving the current situation facing rural communities with regards to education outcomes in the area of Maths, Science and IT,” Professor Minichiello said.
“This is an important national collaborative project and it is hoped a major study will be announced as a result of this workshop in the weeks to come.”
SiMERR came about after a $4.95 million grant awarded to UNE through the Australian Government’s Regional Partnerships program.

Posted by Lydia Roberts at February 22, 2005 02:56 PM