There is a welcome evolution occurring in the sciences today. It is subtle and slow, but there has been a change around the perception of sciences and what it means in terms of engagement, involvement, career paths and future directions.
This change in perception has seen a surge in students undertaking undergraduate science studies at The University of Melbourne. Our latest round of offers shows significantly increased interest in the sciences. Our Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedicine have shown increases in enrolments of 27% and 16% respectively from 2008 to 2009. Growth is anticipated as students completing secondary school recognise the flexibility of choice they have with the first step being a Bachelor of Science. There may be a number of reasons behind this welcome increase.
- Science in the News
The awareness of science as a career destination has been assisted by the boosted interest in science topics in the media. Whether it be stories relating to the environment, bushfires, droughts or hurricanes or biomedical research developments ranging from extracting DNA from an extinct Tasmanian Tiger to developing genetically modified foods, science is in the news.
- A changing image
Sciences historically have an image of being a mysterious group of people dressed in lab coats and large glasses, dabbling with strange-shaped glassware and enjoying their own company with very little relevance to the real world. Times have changed and scientists are now called upon to give opinion and possible solution to a variety of topics of global importance and the collegiate, entrepreneurial, and dynamic status of scientists is being recognised.
- Support from schools
Secondary science and maths teachers play an important role in communicating these exciting developments and opportunities in science to their students in the classroom and sharing with them the challenge and discovery of scientific endeavour.
Bringing all of these elements together for Bachelor of Science students at Melbourne is the In2science – Peer Mentoring in schools program. The Faculty of Science is one of three Victorian universities currently involved in the In2science program. This provides undergraduate science students with the opportunity to encourage the next generation of students by serving as role models and support systems in secondary school classrooms. As part of a ten-week placement our students make connections between the media stories and real world science and work undertaken in the classroom and support the teachers with the delivery of the curriculum. In addition they share their scientific knowledge and enthusiasm with younger students, as well as providing insight into life as a uni student.
Participation in this program is just one of a huge variety of opportunities to add value to your University of Melbourne degree. However, with In2science not only will you be improving your own skills and experience, you will be contributing to the future of science in Australia.
Find out more about the In2science – Peer Mentoring in schools program