The High School Outreach (HSO) Program is an innovative, hands-on, science and engineering outreach program that connects inspiring technical professionals to high school students across Australia and New Zealand. The program is run during science subjects and involves the delivery of a series of workshops that focus on improving understanding of issues related to water, climate change, sustainability and appropriate technology.
It was developed by the Western Australian Chapter of EWB and has now in use by EWB Chapters in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT and New Zealand.
During , the program reached , students in WA alone through the delivery of workshops, including seminars and workshops engaging with Year Aboriginal students in Karratha. The program focuses on accessing less-advantaged high schools and regional areas to encourage enthusiasm and pathways towards careers in science and engineering.
In November the Regioneering Road Show will take the HSO program across three Australian states, covering more than kms and delivering science education outreach activities to more than rural locations.
“The HSO workshops have a profound impact on engaging bright rural student with engineering and global challenges. It is also a fantastic opportunity for engineering university students to mentor the next generation,” said Dan Stone, University of WA student and EWB High School Outreach volunteer.
The WA Science Awards were established in to honour and reward the outstanding achievements of Western Australia&#;s science and innovation community.
Now in their th year, the Awards continue to recognise excellence in all fields of science, including the natural, medical, applied and technological sciences, engineering and mathematical sciences.
The Minister for Science and Innovation, the Hon John Day announced the WA Science Awards winners on Thursday October .
More information:
WA Science Awards
High School Outreach Program
“After just one session we always have students approaching us asking how they too can become an engineer! I have also seen our university volunteers blossom into confident public speakers. I just wish we’d had the program when I was at school,” Jack Clarke, High School Outreach Program Facilitator.
Bendigo South East Secondary College taking part in the High School Outreach Program,
EWB&#;s Alisha Ryans-Taylor and Luan Nyugen (front right) with the other WA Science Award winners.