The first of four first-time special tours for HSC physics and chemistry teachers from around New South Wales began today at ANSTO - Australia's only nuclear science facility.
The first tour comprised 50 physics teachers who were shown parts of the ANSTO site most relevant to their teaching syllabus. In all 150 teachers are booked to visit ANSTO during June.
ANSTO’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Andrew Humpherson said it was another step in the right direction towards encouraging students to take up science as a career.
“By educating teachers about the exciting applications of physics and chemistry in the work place, students may also be encouraged to choose a career in science,” he said.
“It is crucial for Australia’s future economic prosperity that we keep up with the world in applied technical and scientific skills. We need more students, with the support of their parents, to develop an interest in science and its applications.”
Many of the teachers came from far and wide – from Tuncurry to Cobar. Tuncurry physics teacher Matt Avery said he was impressed.
“The site is outstanding and what we saw very relevant to the syllabus, particularly the quanta to quarks option.”
Michael Halligar who travelled 700 kilometres from Cobar said the trip was definitely worth it.
“You just never get the chance to see something like this very often and it was a real eye opener. It put a lot of things straight for me about what really goes on here,” he said. “For example it’s not a nuclear power plant and many people think it is.”
Today’s group was shown ANSTO’s new research reactor OPAL, its new neutron beam facilities, the radiopharmaceutical laboratories and ANSTO's particle accelerators in the Institute of Environmental Research. It was great to see how science is used practically in neutron production, neutron beam science, radiopharmaceutical production and environmental research.