Partnerships and Programs

UWS aims to increase educational opportunities, aspirations and achievements, particularly in Greater Western Sydney. By working in collaboration with the school sector, UWS can help to address the sector’s needs, priorities and interests, leading to better outcomes for students.

The Schools Strategic Plan and Action Plan 2008, including the new programs to be developed, reflect the outcomes of extensive consultations with the school sector during 2007. UWS has established a Reference Group of sector representatives to provide ongoing advice and assistance as the plans are implemented. Implementation of the Schools Plans is led and coordinated by the UWS Office of University Engagement.

Partnerships 

Lachlan Macquarie College 

As part of its strategy to build regional capacity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, UWS became a partner in the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET)’s Lachlan Macquarie College initiative. Lachlan Macquarie College began operations on the Macquarie Boys’ Technology High School site in January 2008, to benefit students and teachers in public schools across the Parramatta area. It will provide high quality, exciting and enriching programs to improve identified teaching and learning outcomes in mathematics and science. Eight high schools are currently involved.

The delivery of courses, workshops and activities for students will be through new, cutting edge technologies utilising the resources and expertise of the DET Centre for Learning Innovation. The partnership provides a unique opportunity to respond to the professional learning needs of local mathematics and science teachers, to cater for students who intend to undertake tertiary study in mathematics and/or science and provide all students with real-world experiences in mathematics and science.

A snapshot of recent activities shows the pace at which this partnership is developing:

• LMC schools participating in YSF@UWS
• A Tall Poppies seminar where senior female students from the LMC schools attended a showcase of the work of four women research scientists, coinciding with International Women’s Day. The activity was filmed by the Centre for Learning Innovation and will be developed into an online teaching and learning resource.
• The Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer Challenge, a science challenge where student teams analysed the concentrations of sodium in popular sports drinks.

The Lachlan Macquarie schools will participate in Energy Security: the Real Story – a series of lectures at the Riverside Theatre Parramatta, sponsored by UWS and its Whitlam Institute. These will be open to the general public, teachers and students.

Activities currently being developed include:

• Unit of study on Integrative Science
  
• Master Classes
• HSC Days.

Integrative Science

Integrative Science is a revolutionary new science unit which breaks the barriers and creates connections between the traditional science disciplines. The content is based on the hot issues in science, which are important for our future and life on earth. To address such issues physics, chemistry, biology and maths need to be integrated. The unit will be open to school students in years 10 and 11, and undergraduates.

The unit has been designed in modules to engage students with learning science at a tertiary level while still at school; to enrich and build the self-confidence of pre-service primary school teachers in learning maths and science; to enrich UWS Advanced Science students by providing them with opportunities to mentor students at school; and to provide the opportunity for economics and arts students to complete authentic problem-based learning modules, in an online environment. Problem-solving and communication will be stressed and assessed in preference to rote learning and regurgitation of facts. Close contact between students, peers and academics will be a major feature of this unit.

Nirimba - UWS is a member of the Nirimba Education Precinct, along with Terra Sancta College, Wyndham College and TAFE Nirimba College.

Committees of Cooperation - the UWS School of Education and the NSW DET have established joint Committees of Cooperation with both Western Sydney and South Western Sydney Regions. The Committees develop joint initiatives in research and professional learning to support schools in the continual development and improvement of education outcomes and practices in these regions.

^ back to top 

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Programs
YSF@UWS science leadership program	In conjunction with the National Youth Science Forum (ysf) and Rotary International, UWS hosted the ysf program at its Hawkesbury and Campbelltown campuses in January 2008. The program included a range of workshops, tours and hands-on activities in subjects such as chemistry, forensic science, medicine, complementary medicine, science education, engineering, bio-imaging technology, global warming and nanotechnology, as well as three youth leadership training modules from the University’s ASPIRE program. It is planned to run the program annually in future.
HSC Maths Days	Two HSC maths days will be held at UWS in September in the new School of Medicine building.
Maths Toolbox	This is a UWS unit for students who need to increase their mathematical skills. A version for school students has been trialled at the two schools in the Nirimba precinct (Blacktown campus), and is now being used for teacher training and to improve students’ maths skills. Results will be evaluated. The initiative may be extended further in future.
Lachlan Macquarie College	The Lachlan Macquarie College initative.

 

^ back to top

Other Programs
Indigenous School Student Outreach Program	UWS is developing an Indigenous School Student Outreach Program to encourage and support Indigenous school students to engage with education. For more information, please contact Maree Graham or see Indigenous Education at UWS.
Fast Forward	This program is currently running in 11 schools. It builds the aspirations and confidence of young people at risk of dropping out of school, and has been very successful to date. During the first half of 2008 we will be building in a formal evaluation plan and developing criteria for new schools joining the program. It is hoped to expand the number of schools involved by the end of the year.
Young People Imagining a New Democracy	The project seeks to better understand younger Australians attitudes towards and active participation in democratic processes, to work with young people to ‘imagine’ how Australian democracy might work better (for them and indeed for all citizens), to identify the potential implications for public policy and to promote consideration of these matters by policy-makers and the public. For more information, please see Whitlam Institute.
Writers into Schools	This program aims to link well-known authors with local schools. It is currently being piloted with one school, and the outcomes will be used to plan future developments.
DET E-buddies Program	UWS is participating in the NSW Department of Education and Training’s pilot program 'E-buddies' at Kingswood High School in 2008. A group of 20 UWS staff and students are each mentoring a year 11 student through weekly email communication after meeting him/her in person at the school. Mentors from Penrith City Council are also participating. The program was run at Arthur Phillip High School in 2007 with mentors from the business community and proved successful in engaging students in both the curriculum and career exploration.
'Energy Security: the Real Story'	A series of public forums at the Riverside Theatre Parramatta, sponsored by the Whitlam Institute. For more information, please see Energy Security: The Real Story.
UWS School of Education	The UWS School of Education is involved in a wide range of collaborative programs with schools.
"Yourtutor" Partnership	UWS is sponsoring the online tutoring service "Yourtutor" at Fairfield library, doubling the number of sessions available to school students through the library.

^ back to top

Priorities for New Programs

UWS intends to develop a scheme to recruit and train University students from different faculties to mentor school students. This is currently at the planning stage.

We will shortly be convening a working group to look at options for a range of gifted and talented programs.

^ back to top