Four locally based primary schools will be hosting a total of seven SMART (Science, Mathematics and Real Technology) shows as a part of National Science Week today, Friday 24 August.
Organised by Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) BusinessLink and sponsored by CDU’s School of Science and Primary Industry and School of Engineering, Engineers Australia, Rotary Club of Darwin North, Power & Water, National Science Week, Department of Employment, Education and Training, and the Department of Education, Science and Training, the SMART Program is an initiative of the University of Newcastle that aims to bring science into the wider community.
Science is an integral part of daily life and nearly everything we do has its basis in science. The SMART initiative attempts to illustrate this point by using ordinary, and some not so ordinary items in extraordinary ways.
Rates of enrolment in science at HSC/NTCE level have dramatically declined over the last few years. By encouraging young children to develop an early interest in science, this trend may be slowed and, hopefully, reversed.
SMART shows are designed develop this interest in children who may not already think science is exciting, and to encourage it in those that do.
The ‘Unexpected Science Show’ being presented at Malak, Holy Spirit, Wanguri, and Wulagi primary schools is a collection of simple interactive demonstrations that have fun and unexpected results.