Enrichment for country kids

Participants in the 2007 PCAP enrichment camp

60 year eight and nine students from 16 schools across south west Queensland will converge on the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) for the annual Priority Country Area Program (PCAP) enrichment camp next week.

Now in its 27th year, the camp gives students from rural schools the opportunity to participate in a range of educational, social and cultural activities and experience life as a university student.

USQ Science Education Lecturer and Professional Experience Coordinator Dr Karen Spence said the camp is designed to broaden the students' horizons.

'The PCAP camp brings students from rural and regional locations on campus for a week of learning experiences and to experience life in the big city,' Dr Spence said.

'The Education faculty hosts the students who will be doing programs with the faculties of Sciences and Engineering and Surveying.'

This year students will take part in the Dance with a Robot session, learn about astronomy during a Reach for the Stars activity and hear from a forensic officer from the Queensland Police.

'Students will also have the opportunity to take part in ‘Who Dunnit?' a forensics mystery from the Queensland Police Crime Unit,' Dr Spence said.

There will be plenty of opportunity for socialising in the evening activities in the Toowoomba area.

'They will visit the Empire Theatre and the Darling Downs Zoo, go late night shopping and have dinner at a 1950's inspired restaurant to do some boogie dancing,' she said.

'The camp gives students enhanced educational outcomes such as learning about career opportunities in the city, attending university for tertiary education and opportunities to socialise with other teenagers from rural areas.'

A number of Faculty of Education senior and middle schooling students will facilitate sessions in conjunction with organisers, Dr Karen Spence and Dr Janice Jones.

'PCAP experience for education students is highly regarded as they volunteer their time, present lessons and act as USQ ambassadors.

'The program also contributes to inspiring teachers to return to teach in the bush.'

This year a former PCAP enrichment camp participant and USQ alumni will accompany students as a teacher.

'One of the teachers who comes with the students was a PCAP student. He went on to study education at USQ and now comes back with the students!'

Students will live on campus in the residential colleges to make the most of experiencing life as university students.

The PCAP enrichment camp will take place at USQ from 9:00 am on Monday 14 July until Friday 18 July 2008.

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559