What is ASSETS

The Aboriginal Summer School for Excellence in Technology and Science (ASSETS) program is for Year 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from around Australia with an aptitude for mathematics and science. The nine-day residential summer school in Adelaide is open to students from all Australian states and territories. It is cost free, including return travel, for successful applicants. Accommodation is provided at Wiltja Residence, a successful long term Indigenous boarding school facility.

Participants undertake an academic program in science, technology and mathematics at the Australian Science and Mathematics School. They are required to meet rigorous academic demands in such areas of study as:

  • Nanotechnology
  • Photonics
  • Aerospace science
  • Environmental science
  • Biotechnology
  • Health science
  • Geosciences
  • Mathematical sciences

 

There is also a cultural and social program that includes interaction with role models and exploring participants’ language group backgrounds to encourage personal growth and nurture leadership qualities.

ASSETS aims to provide Indigenous students interested in the sciences with skills and encouragement to help them through their final years at school and into university or further training.

Sixteen Australian universities will maintain contact with ASSETS graduates in their catchment areas.

For information regarding applications for the 2012 ASSETS summer school program please email Rob Ball.

More about ASSETS

ASSETS is a residential summer school designed to promote excellence in technology and science among young Indigenous people. The program is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, and includes a significant cultural and leadership component.

Dannielle Ghezzi is an ASSETS Alumni and the first Ambassador the ASSETS program.

Since the 1990s, ASSETS programs have helped some of Australia’s brightest young Indigenous minds to succeed at high school and university and enter science and technology careers.

Through the involvement of Indigenous role models, ASSETS also supports participants’ culture and identity and promotes self-esteem.

Each year, up to 30 Indigenous students of high potential from urban, remote and regional centres around the country spend 10 days experiencing a rich curriculum of science, mathematics and technology delivered by leading teachers and academics.

Participants are housed at Wiltja Residence and cared for by staff who are indigenous leaders and mentors from many parts of Australia. They also have years of experience in Indigenous education and youth work. The staff member responsible for organising the preparation and delivery of the celebratory “Springboarding off ASSETS” group presentations on the last night is a highly respected ex-School Principal. Wiltja’s knowledge and understanding of supporting young persons to develop from youth to adult and to explore their various cultural backgrounds is immense.

Wiltja is a specialised boarding facility designed for students to be in separate gender accommodation. The superb recreational facilities on the premises include a swimming pool, flood lit basketball court, extensive natural gardens, full art room, TV room, etc.

Residency at Wiltja is an important component of the program’s cultural and leadership focus and provides significant, indeed invaluable, opportunities for group bonding.

More than 200 young Indigenous Australians have graduated from ASSETS, with many now working in leadership positions within science and the wider community.

“The program was a unique opportunity to learn from practising scientists and to spend time with Indigenous peers with a passion for science. The mentors that I met as part of the program continued to guide and inspire my studies long after the program was over.” (Dr Yin Paradies, ASSETS 1992, BSc. MMedStats MPH PhD, NHMRC Research Fellow)

The original ASSETS program ran for 10 years in Adelaide under the Faculty of Aboriginal and Islander Studies of the University of South Australia, now the David Unaipon College of Indigenous Education and Research (DUCIER).

In 2008, a revised ASSETS pilot program was held, supported by the National Centre for Science, ICT and Mathematics Education for Rural and Regional Australia (SiMERR) in conjunction with the Australian Science and Mathematics School (ASMS), Flinders University and University of South Australia.

A successful program was run in December 2009, with 29 participants, and December 2010, with 27 participants.

For further information contact Ian Maynard or Rob Ball.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Dr. Kathy Granger Nicholson at knicholson@riaus.org.au.