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Smart school
Technologically advanced facility to train South Australia’ s future teachers.
Photo: UniSA
A state-of-the-art facility for the teachers of the future has opened its doors at the University of South Australia’ s Magill campus.
The $ 4 million Samsung SMARTSchool was built to be a“ technologically advanced” teacher-training facility with a focus on innovation, problem solving and research into the future of learning. It will also be open to students to engage in practical learning.
The head of UniSA’ s School of Education, Professor Stephen Dobson, said the school included interactive whiteboards, new tablets and virtual reality gear, and would be a boon for teacher education in South Australia.
“ The school will benefit teachers, education researchers, students studying to become teachers and school students from across Australia,” Dobson said.
“ Flexible in concept and design, while emphasising STEM, the Samsung SMARTSchool is all about teaching students to become problem-solvers and innovators.
“ From data collection and analysis for sports science, to learning about radar and GPS technologies applicable for defence and civilian settings, or the future of manufacturing through 3D printing, the school will give school students access to practical, career-focused learning.”
Samsung head of corporate social responsibility Tess Ariotti said the building was a result of industry collaboration, and incorporated the university’ s latest research on teaching practices.
“ It is critical that we equip our students, teachers and wider community with the skills, knowledge and tools that are important to the workforce of the future,” she said.
“ Our close collaboration with UniSA has helped us to create a purpose-built learning environment which will support teachers and encourage students to think creatively, work collaboratively and solve real-world problems.
“ We’ re excited to continue working with UniSA to inspire the next generation of innovators, creators and community leaders in Australia.” ■
Safer internet
CSIRO teaches Melbourne schoolgirls the importance of cybersecurity.
As part of Safer Internet Day, the CSIRO brought cybersecurity sessions, real-world STEM skills and the latest research into Melbourne Girls’ College. CSIRO STEM professionals were at the school to discuss the changes moulding the new data-driven world, strategies to stay safe online, and career opportunities for those interested in data science and technology.
CSIRO Data61 chief executive Adrian Turner said it was essential to teach the next generation of STEM leaders safe internet habits, particularly in light of recent hardware attacks worldwide.
“ These students are our future innovators, scientists and engineers,” Turner said.
“ It’ s essential to equip them with the skills they need in school, and to capture their interest in cybersecurity and why it matters now and in the future so they can see how much of a crucial role it will continue to play in Australia’ s data-driven future and digital economy.
“ Diversity in technology is an issue not just in Australia, but around the world. Our STEM Professionals in Schools program is one way CSIRO is aiming to improve this, by reaching students and talking to them about the opportunities available and what these real-world scenarios look like, before they get to university.”
With careers in cybersecurity on the rise, Melbourne Girls’ College science teacher Wendy Keen said events such as this were important to maximise STEM skills and future opportunities for students.
“ Learning first-hand from a STEM professional what they do in the workplace and applying these skills to support the delivery of the school curriculum has improved my confidence in STEM subjects and has increased the knowledge of my students,” Keen said.
“ In high schools, most students have access to a digital device, so to be exposed to world-class researchers to help students increase their STEM learning, and stay safe, is extremely valuable.”
As part of the day, Year 7 students participated in an interactive cybersecurity quiz that showed how digital STEM skills are relevant to the workforce and everyday life.
CSIRO has predicted an anticipated shortage of 1.8 million information security professionals by 2022.
Safer Internet Day is held annually around the world on the second day of the second week of February. ■
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