Nineteen science teachers from nine secondary schools in the Rockhampton/Yeppoon area have completed a professional development course in Physics at CQU Rockhampton.

A presentation ceremony was held this week (Monday, July 12) to mark the teachers' successful completion of this course.

This collaborative pilot project has involved Education Queensland's Spotlight on Science initiative, local public and private secondary schools and CQU in seeking to address the extreme shortage of secondary school Physics teachers.

The syllabus prepared by the James Goldston Faculty of Engineering and Physical Systems was based on first-year university Physics.

It was designed to give participants, who may have studied very little physics as part of their teaching degree, a broader knowledge.

This knowledge should enable them to teach the current senior school physics curriculum and may encourage their students to consider CQU programs based on physical sciences.

District 'Spotlight on Science' contact and Head of Science at Rockhampton State High School, Rebecca Hack said that a substantial percentage of eligible teachers from the area had commited to the course.

Ms Hack said the participants had given up their own time to attend the course.

Photo (left): Ms Mi-Chal Purcell, a science teacher from Rockhampton High School, was pleased to achieve a High Distinction in the Professional Development (Physics) Course for Secondary School Teachers. She is pictured receiving her award from Professor Glenice Hancock, Vice-Chancellor, CQU.

Photo (above): Pictured after the award\'s ceremony are from left: Mr Greg Smith (Director, Education Queensland’s Spotlight on Science), Dr Dick Metcalfe (Program Director, Physics), Ms Rebecca Hack (Head of Science, Rockhampton High School), Professor Elizabeth Taylor, AO (Dean, Engineering & Physical Systems), Mr Angus Prior (Science Teacher, Rockhampton High School) and Dr Colin Greensill (Discipline Leader, Physics).