Science students explore careers in primary industry

September 17, 2007

The University of New England is working with secondary schools in Armidale and Tamworth in a national project aimed at increasing the number of keen young science students pursuing careers in primary industry.

UNE's involvement in the project, run by the Primary Industries Science Centre of Education (PISCE), began in April this year. The UNE-based Education Officer for PISCE, Susanna Greig, said that she and UNE's Associate Professor Robin Jessop had visited the schools in Armidale and Tamworth to introduce the project and to select students for PISCE Industry Placement Scholarships. These scholarships will enable 13 students to gain experience working in an agricultural science industry/business setting for five days (14-18 January 2008).

Just before entering their work experience placements, the students will come together for a five-day Student Camp (7-11 January 2008) designed to illustrate exciting developments in agricultural science and career and research opportunities in agriculture for science students. The camp will be held in Armidale and Tamworth, with the students accommodated at Echidna Gully. At the end of the camp the students will outline their experiences in a "reporting back session" to begin at 5 pm on the 11th of January in the Wicklow Hotel, Armidale. All industry partners, UNE officials and participants, teachers and parents will be encouraged to attend this session.

"The participating students share a keen interest in investigating career options in agricultural science," Ms Greig said. "The students would like to find out what UNE can offer them as they consider their tertiary studies, and they will see many of UNE's exciting developments in agricultural science during the camp."

"We are impressed with the calibre and attitude of these students," she added, "and I'm thrilled to be working with such a terrific group."

Ms Greig explained that PISCE had been founded by Dr David Russell at the University of Tasmania in 2000, and had spread to the University of Western Australia in 2002 and South Australia's Flinders University in 2005 before coming to UNE this year. "Dr Russell noticed a decline in the number of young people going into agricultural science courses and careers," she said. "He conducted a national scoping study, presented last year to Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop, that revealed that the decline was a national problem."

In addition to the student camp and industry placements next January will be a two-day workshop for teachers on the 3rd and 4th of December this year. This workshop will demonstrate the science – and scientific research – supporting primary industry and agricultural businesses in the New England region.

For more information, contact Susanna Greig at UNE on (02) 6773 2809.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at September 17, 2007 05:24 PM