Agreed Return on Investment or Outcomes – University of Western Australia

PRIORITY ACTIONS

  1. Deliver information to school students that has them actively searching out careers in the general area of agriculture, environment and sustainable natural resource management.
  2. Expand the numbers of schools / classes visited to more than in 2007, including some access / activity with Year 10s.
  3. Improve the conversion rate from interest in the classroom through to application for the camp / industry experience scholarship.
  4. Expand industry / partner support for both the funding and operations of the program, under the direction and support of senior Faculty staff
  5. Improve the understanding by teachers of science that this program can benefit all science students (and not only those showing an interest in production agriculture)
  6. Explore potential synergies between PICSE and other science education engagement activities conducted by the Faculty and the University

OUTPUTS OR OUTCOMES

  1. Evidence that teachers are actively recommending the scholarship program to their students
  2. Good response to strategies developed to continue the contact with students
  3. Students who attend the scholarship program are more likely to choose to study at UWA
  4. Some evidence that teachers don’t pigeonhole the PICSE program as agriculture-only.
  5. Evaluation of any changes in perceptions of teachers about the breadth of careers in science.
  6. Evaluation of the take-up of teaching activities using the learning resources produced in previous years or knowledge presented at the professional development sessions.
  7. Active participation by partners in Steering Committee / industry placement

Targets for UWA

  1. Commitment for funding support of at least $50,000 per annum for the term of the project from partner organisations in Western Australia, under the direction and support of senior Faculty staff
  2. Greatly increased application rate for scholarship places
  3. Strong preference to seek admission to UWA from scholarship holders
  4. Increased number of scientists/researchers from partners willing to take industry placement students