Bright Minds for the Smart State

The University of Queensland has launched a $2.2 million initiative to attract and nurture more high-achieving students to a career in the biological and chemical sciences.

Coordinator Associate Professor Susan Hamilton said the aim of Bright Minds was to enrich the teaching of science at all levels and to enhance the profile of science as a career.

Bright Minds will include a range of products and services for students and teachers from upper primary school through to tertiary study.

These will be developed through partnerships between educators, students, scientists and the general community.

“It is a logical extension of the Queensland Government’s Smart State initiatives, and the recent establishment of UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB),” Dr Hamilton said.

“There needs to be a paradigm shift in the way in which we educate if we are to get the brightest of our youth to actively participate in a biotechnological future for our state.”

The Bright Minds program comprises:

• Resource Packages for schools – including teachers notes, student activities, kits for hands-on science, information for parents and videos showing scientists using modern technologies;
• Enrichment studies – where high ability students study the equivalent of first semester university chemistry and biology during Years 11 and 12;
• UQ Advanced Study Program – access to cutting-edge science for selected first year undergraduates;
• Graduate Certificate Program – for teachers to update skills and knowledge in modern molecular biology;
• UQ Ambassador Scheme – for Year 11 students to act as contacts between UQ and the schools;
• Faces of Science video series – accompanied by teachers notes and suggested activities;
• Frontiers in Science lecture series;
• Careers in Science – profiles of scientists; and a
• Scientist-In-Residence Program.

More information about Bright Minds can be found at www.brightminds.uq.edu.au. It was officially launched at the UQ Centre at The University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus today by Queensland Premier Peter Beattie.

Media: for more information contact Peter McCutcheon at UQ Communications on 07 3365 1088 or 0413 380012