Monash Memo - 9 May 2001

Back to this edition's story list

New science centre develops young minds

The first sod was turned last week on the new $4.3 million Monash Science Centre at Clayton campus.

Monash Earth Sciences lecturer Professor Pat Vickers-Rich, who spearheaded the project, said the new centre promised to give primary school students a unique scientific experience.

She said her desire to boost the profile of science in primary schools had led to the creation of the centre.

"I wanted to get kids into the fields and the labs, where they can really see science at work - I also wanted to get real scientists into the classrooms to talk to the students," she said.

The Science Centre, due for completion next year, has existed in the Physics department since 1993, and a designated building for its activities has been planned for the past three years.

One of the centre's most popular activities has been Earthfest, which takes up to 500 school children and their families into the field to see first-hand research on topics including animals, marine biology and dinosaurs.

Professor Vickers-Rich said the new building would become a hub for research scientists, university teaching staff, school teachers and students that will deliver educational programs to inspire a love of science in children.

"The centre will be an environment where science can be seen, felt and practised as a happening process, not as some distant, white lab-coat experience," she said.

"We get so many students now who come here and say they came to Monash because they took part in an activity run by the Science Centre."

The building will include an exhibition hall, rooms for staff and two permanent classrooms, one fully equipped for biosciences and the other for physical sciences.

An upper level will consist of a mezzanine floor, where meals and refreshments will be served, and a shop that sells science-related curriculum materials.

The building will be environmentally friendly, with piped water cooled in a nearby lake to keep summer heat at bay and the building design and window orientation providing warmth in winter.

The centre, which will also use solar energy and collected rainwater to cut down on water usage, has been designed from materials that will not need repainting.

Faculty of Science dean Professor Rob Norris said the centre was part of a long-term program to raise the profile of scientific endeavour in the community.

"We want to excite the minds of Australian youth and make them see that they can be part of a positive future where talented young scientists are as relevant role models as sport stars and artists," he said.

Caption: Professor Pat Vickers-Rich looks over plans with Science faculty dean Professor Rob Norris.