Teacher education students from Central Queesland University (CQU) are among the first wave of Queensland educators to have the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to the State Government's recent call for a rejuvenation of science in schools.

Queensland Education Minister, Anna Bligh, had announced last month a major new initiative, the Science State - Smart State, under which science education in schools and tertiary institutions will be reviewed and a new curriculum would be developed.

Bachelor of Learning Management (BLM) lecturer, Lyn Hughes, said CQU had conducted its own review of the state of science education as part of the BLM launch in 2000 and had taken steps to boost the level of enthusiasm for science among young Queenslanders.

"Science and the ability to teach and enthuse young people are important components of our BLM program. During their degree, CQU education students develop the skills to encourage in children complex thinking and active investigation in science and other disciplines," Hughes explained.

"Our second year students are currently involved in a unique, three-way learning partnership that has the university students coordinating local high school students to facilitate a Science Expo for primary school students." Students from Calliope State School will attend the Science Expo, hosted by the BLM students in partnership with Toolooa State High School year nine Science High Achievers. The venue for the event will be Toolooa State High School.

Primary school students will be given the opportunity to experience the "magic of science" as they make their way through interactive learning experiences created by the university students and their year 9 partners.

"This activity is an opportunity to boost the level of enthusiasm for science in three generations of young Queenslanders and future educators", said Mr Terry Rudder, the school's Science Head Of Department and CQU Lecturer.

"We hope that this may be an initial step in promoting science education and the BLM to high school students, particularly boys," Rudder continued.

The Science Fair will be held on Thursday 23 May, the same day that the first Science State - Smart State forum for industry and universities is due to be held in Brisbane.

The Science State - Smart State initiative was announced in a media release issued by Education Minister Anna Bligh on Wednesday 24 April, 2002.

- ENDS -