Academics from across Flinders University’s colleges were part of an information roadshow that treated more than 350 Year 9 and Year 10 students from across the Limestone Coast to a range of hands-on, interactive study workshops, thanks to a partnership between Flinders University’s Office of Student Recruitment, eNVIsion Limestone Coast, Mount Gambier High School, Flinders Rural Health.
Established in 2018, the Flinders Roadshow has been delivered in Whyalla and Mount Gambier, as part of Flinders University’s HEPPP funding and regional strategy.
The STEM Showcase has been added as a new initiative in 2021, and it offered Year 9s a more targeted program on the back of a Maker Projects: STEM Engagement Grant successfully won by New Venture Institute’s Callena Rawlings, to be delivered at the eNVIsion Limestone Coast facility (co-located at Mount Gambier High School).
The Maker Projects: STEM Engagement Grant was also utilised to fund a STEM Teacher Professional Development Day on Thursday 1 July, delivered by the same four teaching specialists who took part in the STEM Showcase – Dr Sherry Randhawa, Dr Hayden Tronnolone, Dr Masha Smallhorn and Associate Professor Stewart Walker.
Participating schools in the 2021 Flinders Roadshow Limestone Coast and STEM Showcase included: Mount Gambier High School (host), Grant High School, St Martins Lutheran College, Naracoorte High School, Kangaroo Inn Area School, Penola High School and Millicent High School.
The two full-day programs saw students rotate through workshops showcasing Flinders degrees across a range of disciplines (Sport, Creative Arts, Medical Professions, Health, Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Law, Business and Arts), with academic staff, current students and Flinders alumni (including local SAAS and other health graduates) engaging the next generation through demonstrations, challenges and practical activities designed to light the spark of inspiration for future study.
The Education Pathways team within OSR will be delivering the Flinders Roadshow again in Whyalla on Tuesday 21 September and is always looking for more support from staff throughout the University.
If you would like to be part of delivering engaging, rich events with prospective Flinders students and would like to know more, please contact educationpathways@flinders.edu.au.