A new and unique nuclear science education resource for the year 7-10 Science subject, relevant to every Australian state and territory curriculum, is now available online at www.ansto.gov.au/edu – or on CD-ROM.
The key reason for producing the resource – entitled Nuclear Science in Society – was to help young people better understand nuclear science, said ANSTO Executive Director, Dr Ian Smith.
“Although nuclear science has wide ranging applications, it is a complex technology,” said Dr Smith. “The resource, however, is easy to understand, topical and user-friendly and we hope it will enhance science’s attractiveness as a subject.
“We also believe that, as Australia’s only nuclear facility and one of the country’s leading science organisations, we have a responsibility to give young Australians the opportunity to gain a clear understanding of nuclear science as part of their education.
“There is certainly a demand for education on nuclear science,” continued Dr Smith. “Recent research undertaken by ANSTO amongst our staff and the Australian community, as well as government and business, identified that over 90% of those surveyed believed we should be educating young people in schools on nuclear science.
“It is also hoped that by contributing to the education of all young Australians we can encourage more young people to consider a career in science or, at the very least, enhance their science literacy.”
The resource is already being used by schools. For instance, Burwood High School Science Teacher Ilia Hristoforidis said his HSC chemistry students would find the resource a great help, and that his year 10 students were already using it to assist them in meeting the requirements of the NSW curriculum.
Nuclear Science in Society was developed in consultation with the Australian Science Teachers Association and the science education departments of each state and territory.
The resource will be promoted through workshops and sponsorships of national and state science teacher conferences, as well as articles in science teacher publications and through the science units of state and territory education departments.
Published: 20/10/2004