Teachers travel to USQ for science education

Ursula Kennedy discusses the reaserach into the measurement and affect of UV on vines and grapes

Nineteen high school science teachers from around the state spent two days at USQ last week looking at the latest research in food security.

The teachers travelled from Emerald, Millmerran, Warwick, Chinchilla, Oakey and Toowoomba, along with one teacher who made the journey from Guyra, NSW to participate in the two day professional development event organised by the USQ’s Primary Industry Centre for Science Education (PICSE).

During the event teachers heard from leading researchers in the areas of food production and security and environmental protection. Mr Greg Platz, Dr Emma Mace, Dr Barbara George-Jaeglli and Dr Wendy Lawson from the Hermitage Research Station presented during the seminar, along with Ms Trudi Staines from Cotton Catchment Community CRC, Mr Ross Burling from Stahmann Farms and USQ academics Professor Grant Daggard, Professor Lindsay Brown, Dr Bernadette McCabe, Ms Ursula Kennedy and Mrs Kay Lembo.

Mrs Hellen Weber from Concordia Lutheran College in Toowoomba has attended a variety of PICSE events at USQ and said it was one of the most informative, enjoyable and relevant PDs that she had attended.

'We had the opportunity to network both with each other and with the approachable scientists, and gave teachers an idea of the possible job pathways for students, as well as it showing the relevance of the various parts of the sciences that I teach to cutting edge science.

'Activities including the antimicrobial effects of spices, data logging to obtain an endpoint for a titration of wine could be easily used in a classroom.'

Guyra teacher Mrs Yvette Ballard received a travel scholarship from the national PICSE organisation to travel to Toowoomba and said the PICSE event was 'a great opportunity to meet with interstate colleagues and experience different areas of scientific research.'

Run by USQ’s Faculty of Sciences, the PICSE program supports regional schools and provides valuable opportunities for teachers to be updated on current research developments, enabling them to pass this information on to their students.

PICSE is a collaboration between the Commonwealth Government, universities, regional primary industries, national primary industry organisations and businesses.

This program delivers science class activities, teachers’ professional development, teaching resources, student camps and student industry placement programs. These activities build strong and sustainable relationships between school students, teachers, universities and local scientists or employers associated with primary industries, particularly in the production of food and fibre.






Contact Details:

Connie-Louise Rego, USQ Media, 07 4631 2977