 The students and some of their teachers took part in the University's annual 'Sun and Science Experience', a highly successful camp-style program sponsored by the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, the Australian Institute of Physics, and the Science Teachers Association of Victoria.
Organiser, Dr Wan Ng, lecturer in science education in the University's Institute for Education, says the camp provided four days of action-packed learning about science in an exciting, relevant and interesting manner.
Students built solar-powered devices including battery chargers for re-charging their portable disc players and solar-powered cookers for summer barbecues.
Dr Ng says she began the camp three years ago to show school students the relevance of science learning, particularly at years 9 and 11 levels when many 'tune out' of science. Apart from Singapore, a school in Malaysia is planning to send 30 students next year.
'Tapping into students' interest in solar energy and environmental issues and giving them a chance to be involved in hands-on activities building useful devices is a good way of fostering their interest in science,' she says.
A solar science website has been developed for the program, see www.latrobe.edu.au/solar, featuring curriculum activities for teachers to use in the classroom.
Dr Ng has been awarded $10,000 federal government grant to upgrade her qualifications in education for gifted children.
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