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Tuesday, 27 August 2013

The first educational conference of its kind to be held in the Great Southern has received top marks from one of the State's top scientists.

Professor Lyn Beazley, WA's Chief Scientist, is a strong advocate for engaging the broader community in understanding the value of science to regional communities.  As well as supporting the establishment of the Great Southern Science Council, Professor Beazley will open the inaugural Education Futures conference in Albany.

The two-day conference is attracting teachers and the general public from all parts of the Great Southern.  The conference aims to ensure young people are equipped to contribute to regional WA.

As the Great Southern undertakes scientific research in areas such as water, soils and biodiversity, Professor Beazley said educators are well-placed to engage young people in science.

"I am pleased to open a regional conference that will provide professional support for educators from early childhood upwards," she said.  "Adapting learning approaches and resources to include a regional context is important to the successful engagement of young people.  This conference will bring together regional teachers and researchers with both local and international expertise to share knowledge about the Great Southern."

Professor Beazley will lead a lineup of experts including Dr Peter Ellyard , Director of the Preferred Futures institute; Professor Barry McGaw, Chairman of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority;  and UWA's Professor Neville Bruce and Winthrop Professor Stephen Hopper, the latter a former director of Britain's Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

WHAT:  The Education Futures - Great Southern 2013 Conference ,a school and university initiative supported by the Great Southern Employment Development Committee.  It will provide a comprehensive regional context for new Australian Curriculum by addressing key questions such as:

  • why is the inclusion of a futures perspective in the curriculum of value;
  • what possible futures lay ahead both globally and for the Great Southern as we move towards 2050;
  • what challenges will that present in terms of sustainability from an economics, ecological and community perspective;
  • how will we ensure delivery of the Australian Curriculum prepares regional students for these possible futures?

WHEN: October 13 and 14.

Registration : Closes on 31 August.   For more details or to register visit the Education for World Futures .

Media references

Mark Paynter (UWA Integrated Human Studies)  (+61 8)  9842 0839  /  (+61 4) 29 216 453
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783

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