ASSETS 2011 program

The ASSETS 2011 program was held in Adelaide from 14 – 21 December 2011.

ASSETS is an annual Aboriginal Summer School for Excellence in Technology and Science.

2011′s nine day program brought together 27 Year 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from around Australia.

As part of a rigorous academic program, students participated in CSI style investigations at the Australian Science and Mathematics School, experienced lab work at SA Water, explored career pathways at Santos, and learned about DNA with scientists from the Gene Technology Access Centre.

The cultural component of the program at the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre was a highlight for the students. Aboriginal guest speakers encouraged and inspired students to continue acknowledging their heritage whilst pursuing their passion for science into the future.

The students stayed at Wiltja, an Aboriginal Boarding Facility. Wiltja provided transportation, food, and sleeping requirements. Qualified youth support workers were also onsite . During the evenings at Wiltja, the students were entertained by various guest speakers including Peter Buckskin, Patron of the ASSETS program.

The inquiry component of the program played a significant role throughout the 9 days and 2011’s topic was water. ASSETS students came up with various research questions related to water and types of water, with their final results and research presented at the ASSETS Ceremony on Wednesday 21 December.

The Ceremony was a prestigious event hosting various VIPs, including His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, Governor of South Australia. RiAus Director Dr Paul Willis hosted the event, presenting the Inaugural ASSETS  Ambassador, Dannielle Ghezzi. The closing ceremony provided the audience with the chance to see the 27 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students give their presentations. All the students displayed confidence, understanding and most importantly a passion for learning and inquiry.

Dr Willis closed the ceremony and addressed the graduating 2011 ASSETS students.

“I wish to give you an invitation for a life in science,” he said. “If you accept, it will readily accept you”.

RiAus ran a micro donations campaign in preparation for the 2012 ASSETS program, to support two students in the 2012 program.

 

ASSETS 2011 Information

The program is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.

The selection process is usually finalised in August and is partly based on the Year 10 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) test, provided, marked and uploaded by Educational Assessment Australia (EAA), UNSW Global as a sponsorship to the 2011 ASSETS program. For more details of EAA, go to www.eaa.unsw.edu.au.

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