Scientists engaging with schools: the Australian experience
Understanding and awareness of cutting edge human genetics and advances in genetic technologies is critical for an informed public. Being up-to-date with this information is challenging for teachers and schools given that many teachers in Australia were trained several years ago, prior to “the Genetics Revolution”. In addition to this, drivers of information such as the curriculum or traditional resources eg text books, may take time before being translated into the school setting.
Hence, the importance of using methods of engaging teachers and students with concepts and technologies that are moving at a rapid pace. Resources and materials developed and delivered by professionals working at the coal-face is one way of engaging with schools. Professionals involved in genetics research, university teaching laboratories and in the clinical and ethical units associated with human genetics services are in an ideal position to provide these kinds of services.
As scientists, we have developed a range of different ways of engaging with both primary and secondary students to:
• create awareness
• enhance understanding of rapidly developing technologies
• enable people in the longer term to make informed choices about genetics and genetic technologies
• foster schools as an excellent spring board for students and teachers to disseminate awareness to the wider community of parents and families
We will describe the development and implementation of these programs both in primary and secondary schools, and resources will be made available.