Science students report on primary industry experience

February 11, 2008

An innovative project that links senior high-school science students with local primary industries and agricultural research organisations reaches its climax in Armidale this afternoon.

Eleven high-school students from Armidale and Tamworth will talk about their experiences in the Primary Industry Centre for Science Education (PICSE) project at a "reporting back session" at 5 pm in the Wicklow Hotel.

The Armidale/Tamworth program was organised through the national PICSE project's NSW hub, managed by Susanna Greig and Associate Professor Robin Jessop at the University of New England. This is the NSW hub's first year in the project.

Each of the 11 students received a PICSE Industry Placement Scholarship that allowed them to work with industry and research scientists in a local primary-industry setting in the week 14-18 January, after coming together earlier that month for a five-day Science to Industry Camp. At the camp they learnt about exciting developments in agricultural science, and career and research opportunities for science students.

A workshop for teachers last December demonstrated the scientific principles and research programs underlying agricultural businesses in the New England region.

The audience at today's "reporting back" session will include industry partners, UNE officials and participants, teachers and parents.

Ms Greig, the UNE-based Education Officer for PICSE, said she had "thoroughly enjoyed working with these students who took time in their summer school holidays to become involved in the Science to Industry Camp and the five-day industry placement to investigate careers in agricultural science".

The program introduced the students to agricultural science research taking place at UNE and the Tamworth Agricultural Institute, as well as the science supporting primary industries in Armidale, Tamworth and Guyra. "We'd like to acknowledge the financial support of UNE and the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training," Ms Greig said, "and thank scientists at UNE, the Tamworth Agricultural Institute, and many local agricultural businesses for their valuable input into the program."

The national PICSE program was initiated by Dr David Russell at the University of Tasmania in 1998, and spread to the University of Western Australia in 2002 and South Australia's Flinders University in 2005 before coming to UNE last year. Ms Greig said the program was designed to address a national decline in the number of skilled young people going into agricultural science courses and careers.

"This was the initial, trial program for the PICSE project in NSW," she said. "I am delighted to have heard only extremely positive feedback from all those involved."

Comments from students included: "To future students I'd say: 'Just do it!' The experience is worthwhile! You will make lots of great contacts, and it will open your eyes to what career options are available for scientists within the local agricultural industry."

Posted by Jim Scanlan at February 11, 2008 03:37 PM