Agreed Return on Investment or Outcomes – University of New England

AIMS
The NSW University of New England PICSE activity centre is based in Armidale on the Northern Tablelands of NSW. The PICSE program focuses upon linking selected tertiary bound school leavers and science school teachers with the broad range of science based careers and the cutting edge science supporting primary industries.

OBJECTIVES

  1. The NSW UNE PICSE program will strengthen and develop the linkages between the university, local agricultural science businesses /industry partners and school science teachers and students. This will enable students to develop a deeper understanding of the broad range of exciting career opportunities available in science-based primary industries.
  2. Potential students will gain a better understanding about the tertiary courses leading to careers in agricultural science and will develop a positive and exciting view of a UNE university experience.
  3. Strong university links with teachers will be developed through Teacher Professional Development events and through resource development for local teachers. Through these relationships teachers will gain a greater appreciation of the science supporting local primary industry and will be supported to include this information in their classroom teaching.
  4. New initiatives such as the Science Investigation Awards will extend and nurture the interest in science with more year 7 – 12 students in schools.

Following the development of the national PICSE centre, the NSW activity centre was established at the University of New England (UNE) in 2007-08. In the first year schools and industries in Armidale and Tamworth were involved in the program. We have since expanded the program to work with schools and industries across the New England and North West regions of NSW in Armidale, Tamworth, Guyra, Gunnedah, Walcha, Narrabri, Inverell and Glenn Innes.

The Science Education Officer for the UNE PICSE program is Susanna Greig. Susanna grew up on a grazing property in the region, has taught science and agriculture in central western NSW, worked in technical support for agricultural and was most recently the Schools Education Officer for the Cooperation Research Centre for Australian Weed Management.

Susanna is assisted by Carissa Green who was previously completed a PICSE Scholarship and is currently completing her studies in a Bachelor of Agriculture and Graduate Diploma of Education at UNE. Carissa is passionate about primary industries and encouraging students to pursue a career in this field.