Dr David Russell (Ag Science, UTAS)Dr David Russell (Ag Science, UTAS)

DISCLAIMERCropLife Australia’s 2007 Perspective Conference aimed to provide general information on issues relevant to the agricultural chemical industry. CropLife Australia took all care to ensure that the views conveyed during the course of the conference were accurate and up to date. However, CropLife Australia makes no representations, warranties or assurances (express or implied) as to the accuracy, currency or completeness of such information. CropLife Australia shall not be liable for any damage or injury that may arise from the use or reliance upon information provided at the Conference. We would encourage you to make your own enquiries and take independent advice tailored to your specific circumstances prior to making any decisions.

A Mammoth Problem!A Mammoth Problem!“A 2007 Yr 11 student may “A 2007 Yr 11 student may enter workforce in 2012”enter workforce in 2012”

Skills Shortage

• By 2012 35% shortfall

• Aging Workforce

• International Pressure

• Lag of new science skills

• Rural / Regional drain

• Decline in Yr 12 science

• Fewer Undergraduates

• Reduced quality of U/G

• Lack of science teachers

• Negative perceptions

• Community attitudes

“Ag Science = Gumboots & Muck”

or “Jobs for those without any

other options”

Community attitudes:* Parents* Teachers* Students* Industry

Negative perceptions:

What is the Basic Task?What is the Basic Task?

Ag Science Careers are interesting & varied

““Ag Science Myth Busters!”Ag Science Myth Busters!”

By making Ag Science relevant to schools & developing By making Ag Science relevant to schools & developing relationships and partnerships with local industryrelationships and partnerships with local industry

Lack of Science Teachers: We Support Science Teachers:

• Targeted Resources• Teacher’s PD• Motivate the Motivators• Student Teacher activities

• Curriculum• Teacher’s Knowledge• Motivation• Teacher Training

Raising the Profile of Careers in ScienceRaising the Profile of Careers in Science

Encourage young Encourage young people to enter people to enter science based science based careers in Agcareers in Ag

Building Relationships

between Schools, Uni,

RDCs & Industry

Schools

Uni

Industry & RDC

By Building Relationships

& Partnerships

How to Raise the Career

Profile?

Build School Relationships, Where?Build School Relationships, Where?

During Primary School?

At Middle School?

Year 11/12 Science?

Integrated Model: Building RelationshipsIntegrated Model: Building Relationships

Relevance of Science; run by Science Teacher

Building Relationships with StudentsBuilding Relationships with Students

Activity 1:Activity 1:Promote the relevance of Science Promote the relevance of Science to Yr 11/12 Chemistry Studentsto Yr 11/12 Chemistry Students--

Presentations to classes;Presentations to classes;

Illustrate career options;Illustrate career options;

Promote the importance Promote the importance of science to agriculture.of science to agriculture.

Building Relationships with TeachersBuilding Relationships with TeachersService IndustryService Industry Activity 2:Activity 2:

Teachers’ Professional Teachers’ Professional Development Development -

Dairy IndustryDairy Industry

Forestry IndustryForestry Industry -

Processing IndustryProcessing Industry

Poppy IndustryPoppy Industry

Wine IndustryWine Industry

Analytical IndustryAnalytical Industry

Pyrethrum IndustryPyrethrum Industry

Grains IndustryGrains Industry

Building Relationships with IndustriesBuilding Relationships with IndustriesActivity 3: Activity 3: Industry Placement Scholarships (IPS)Industry Placement Scholarships (IPS)

Selected by interviewSelected by interview

5 day camp5 day camp

5 day placement5 day placement

Reporting session: Reporting session: $300 Scholarship$300 Scholarship

Regroup next yearRegroup next year

Building Relationships with TeachersBuilding Relationships with TeachersActivity 4:Activity 4:Web & CDWeb & CD--ROM based support materialROM based support material--

Yr 11 Physical Science & Yr 12 Yr 11 Physical Science & Yr 12 ChemChemYr Yr 1111/12 Biology & Environmental Science /12 Biology & Environmental Science Yr 12 Yr 12 ChemChem, , BiolBiol & Phys& Phys

Curriculum support Curriculum support material based on Primary material based on Primary Industries, designed by Industries, designed by teachers, industry, students teachers, industry, students & Ag Science staff.

Yr 9/10 “Investigations”Yr 9/10 “Investigations”

& Ag Science staff. CD

The Russell Model: Building RelationshipsThe Russell Model: Building Relationships

OnOn--ground ground delivery by a delivery by a

Science TeacherScience Teacher

Building Relationships into Yr 3Building Relationships into Yr 3--1212

Work with Link Work with Link High School High School TeachersTeachers

Links with WA, Links with WA, SA, SA, TasTas & Vic Schools& Vic Schools

Work with Year Work with Year 3 3 –– 12 Students12 Students

Research TeamsGeneral SciencePlant ScienceAnimal Science

Attributes of the Russell ModelAttributes of the Russell Model

Consistent and holistic approach for 10 years nowConsistent and holistic approach for 10 years now

Partnerships increase the gain and lessen the painPartnerships increase the gain and lessen the pain

Local focus, often RegionalLocal focus, often Regional “so our kids come back!”“so our kids come back!”

Motivates the motivators in schools, our Ambassadors!Motivates the motivators in schools, our Ambassadors!

Focuses on talented Yr 11/12 chemistry studentsFocuses on talented Yr 11/12 chemistry students

Science Teachers managing onScience Teachers managing on--ground deliveryground delivery

Demonstrates local “cutting edge” researchDemonstrates local “cutting edge” research

Outcomes of the Russell ModelOutcomes of the Russell Model

40% of IPS students 40% of IPS students enrolenrol in in BAgScBAgSc (UTAS)(UTAS)

TeacherTeacher PD,PD, Camp & Industry Placement (IPS) often Camp & Industry Placement (IPS) often oversubscribedoversubscribed

Increased number & quality of applicants for Increased number & quality of applicants for BAgScBAgSc

Significant attitudinal change by teachers & studentsSignificant attitudinal change by teachers & students

Production of targeted learning materials by teachersProduction of targeted learning materials by teachers

Extension into WA, SA, NSW, Extension into WA, SA, NSW, QldQld & Yrs 3& Yrs 3--10 in 10 in TasTas

Ongoing strong support by local primary industriesOngoing strong support by local primary industries

Where To From Here?Where To From Here?

SAWA

Tas

“P.I.C.S.E.”A National

Centre

Background Studies: Scoping Study & Business CaseBackground Studies: Scoping Study & Business Case

Teamwork is the key for

PICSE

Financial Consortium • University• Local Industry• Schools• State Government• National Agribusiness• R&D Corporations• Federal Government

PICSE

Hub

Recommends a National

Collaborative Centre

DEST Pilot

GRDC Validation

National Scoping Study

Delivery Arm Business

Management & Evaluation

Delivery into all states through State Consortiums or State Activity Centres

Establishment of aEstablishment of aNational National PPrimary rimary IIndustry ndustry CCentre for entre for SScience cience EEducationducation““PICSEPICSE””

Innovation Arm

PICSE: Cash Contribution ProfilePICSE: Cash Contribution Profile

PICSE: Flow of FundsPICSE: Flow of Funds

National Centre

GovernmentInvestment~$1.16m

National IndustryInvestment~$1.16 m

Fee for service for specified National Centre services: payment on delivery

Investment distribution ~$120K pa. per AC:

Paid on milestones

Activity Centre

University~$60K

Local Industry /State Govt Depts~ $60K

14 Activity Centres in allActivity

Centre

University~$60K

Local Industry /State Govt Depts~ $60K

Activity Centre

University~$60K

Local Industry /State Govt Depts~ $60K

Interim PICSE: 2007 Activity in 5 StatesInterim PICSE: 2007 Activity in 5 States

State Activity Centres:

“Linking Schools, Universities & Industries to address skills shortages”