Flinders Centre for Science Education in the 21^st Century Set Up to Help Arrest Decline in Interest in the Sciences. (January 9, 2008)

Flinders University has set up a centre with the express aims of using existing evidence to influence the decisions affecting science education of individuals, industry, and the wider community. Where required the Centre will initiate research projects to obtain the necessary data.

Through this approach the Centre will:

• increase the numbers of people in South Australia and beyond with the necessary knowledge, skills and capabilities to meet workforce needs in the science and technology-oriented occupations and industries;
• enhance scientific and technological capacity within industry and the community;
• encourage innovation and an entrepreneurial approach in students;
• raise levels of scientific and technological literacy and interest in the population generally; and

• help build the culture of creativity and innovation in the State and beyond.

The Centre is seed-funded by a grant from the South Australian Government and three governmental departments are associated with the work of the centre - the Department of Education and Children's Services (DECS), the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST), and the Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED).

The setting up of the centre with Professor Martin Westwell and Associate Professor Debra Panizzon as director and deputy director respectively may be looked on as a small step toward obtaining and developing the resources required to first arrest and then reverse the decline of support for maths and the sciences.

If and when the South Australian government sets about adequately implementing the requirements, including getting the federal government to come to the party, that will be a monumental accomplishment.