by Graham Robinson

Following a pilot project last year-120 University of Canberra students have been undertaking a five week program where they spend two and a half hours in primary school’s working with small groups of children teaching practical science.

Southern Cross Primary School students have been involved in designing and building bridges and shelters as they learn how built structures impact on the environment.

School Principal, Jennie Bailey believes the program is reaping benefits for all involved, students, teachers and the University interns.

“The children look forward to each Monday and ask if the student teachers will be here today. It’s wonderful to see the children so engaged. "This program reaps benefits for all involved as these young teachers bring a fresh and energetic approach to teaching with precise and explicit teaching of science concepts taking place,” she said.

University of Canberra Lecturer in Primary Education, Iain Hay said, “We place great emphasis on giving our students practical on the job experience. These students are required to plan and develop a program suitable for primary school curriculums."It's also great for the primary school kids to get a taste of science.”

The program requires 20 students of the University's 'science education' unit to develop resources and lesson plans for the primary school children. The classes are designed to improve the pupils' literacy as well as their science knowledge.The University of Canberra students agreed the program gave them a valuable, hands-on classroom experience.

"It's a great confidence builder to apply the theory and to know the lessons we prepare are engaging and to see the children learning from them," they said.

The schools involved in the program include Southern Cross Primary, Yarralumla Primary, Majura Primary and Radford College Junior. Schools that are interested in working with the University can contact Mr Hay on 02 6201 5910.