HANSARD
SITTING CALENDAR
SEARCH
LIVE BROADCAST
Hansard Dynamic Member Index
House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-10-29 Daily Xml
Contents
Pdf Xml

PRIME MINISTER'S SCIENCE PRIZES

Ms FOX (Bright) (14:38): What does the extraordinary success of—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! It is a great discourtesy to the member for Bright to have members shouting at each other from across the benches while she is attempting to ask a question. The member for Bright.

Ms FOX: Thank you, Mr Speaker. What does the extraordinary success of South Australians in the Prime Minister's prizes for science mean for the promotion of science in our state? This question is for the Minister for Science and Information Economy.

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:39): She attempted to trick me, sir.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: I thank the member for Bright for her question and acknowledge her commitment to all aspects of education in this state. I know that the Minister for Education also shares our pride in the success achieved by South Australians in these prestigious awards.

Science and research are key economic, environmental and social drivers for innovative approaches that can enhance the wellbeing of all South Australians. South Australia is the home to many world-class scientists, and I know that members will be delighted to hear that three of the five 2008 Prime Ministers prizes in science were awarded to South Australians: Professor Tanya Monro (whose achievements I have mentioned on many occasions in this place), Ms Bronwyn Mart and Mr Clay Reid.

Professor Tanya Monro, one of our state's leading scientists from the University of Adelaide, was awarded the $50,000 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year for her leadership in the field of photonics. Her work is outstanding. It is, without doubt, world class. Her team has created a new class of soft glass optical fibre, which has thousands of potential applications for our state's key industries, particularly health, agriculture and defence. Professor Monro has made an outstanding contribution to science in South Australia through her world leading research and through her contributions as a member of the Premier's Science and Research Council since 2005.

Another South Australian winner was Ms Bronwyn Mart from Magill Primary School. Ms Mart was awarded the $50,000 Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools. Ms Mart is the current President of the South Australian Science Teachers Association, and her passion for science education has brought primary science teaching not only to students at Magill Primary School but also to the wider primary teaching community in our state. She has a hands-on approach to science teaching and this has led to the active engagement of students with science. It has also helped the students to further develop their literacy, numeracy and critical thinking skills.

Another winner from South Australia was Mr Clay Reid from Clare High School. Mr Reid was awarded the $50,000 Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools. Mr Reid has invigorated science teaching and learning at Clare High School and we in this house know, and certainly I know, that that has led to improved overall academic results in science not only at Clare High School but also within the region. By including contemporary science topics such as forensics, genetics, aviation and electronics, Mr Reid has kept students enthusiastically engaged in science, and his talent for teaching science continues to stimulate the interest of students.

I like any form of science that makes it relevant to the students who are being taught. I think that is what our science teachers need to do, and the majority of them do that. They engage the students in such a way that they see a relevance in the science they are being taught. I think that is a very important thing.

The state government keenly supports programs that underpin our state's success in awards such as the Prime Minister's prizes for science, for example, through the South Australian Science Excellence Awards and the Tall Poppy Campaign. The state government also makes a significant investment in science outreach programs, such as those run by the CSIRO Science Education Centre, and is developing further initiatives to bring science closer to South Australians, most notably through the establishment of the Royal Institution of Australia.

I am sure that all members will join me in congratulating these three outstanding South Australians, each of whom is an outstanding ambassador for science. Their efforts are critical in inspiring the next generation of scientists, whose work will go on to drive innovation to support our social and economic development.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED
ABOUT PARLIAMENT
VISIT
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
CONTACT