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St Helena Innovation in Nanotechnology Education

SHINE stands for St Helena Innovation Nanotechnology Education and includes curricula in nanotechnology including modules for science, VCE Chemistry and social impacts, extensions projects in art and ICT, the dedicated NanoVic nanotechnology laboratory and a web-enabled e-learning package so that other schools may have access to the program. Contact Bridge 8 for further information.

Bridge 8, Nanotechnology Victoria and St Helena Secondary College formed a partnership in 2006 to develop a specific nanotechnology curriculum for secondary schools. The SHINE program was officailly opened by The Minister for Education, John Lenders at St Helena Secondary College on Friday 18th May. This curriculum will be offered for implementation in Victorian schools from 2007.

The nanotechnology curriculum was developed after the teaching team - Francesca Calati, Christine Willocks, Juha Ruuska, Hong Tay, Huwi Mak, Jenny Russell, and Amanda Clarke - were successful in applying for a Teacher Professional Leave (TPL) Grant from the Victorian State Department of Education and Training (Northern Region). The development of the curriculum has involved the input of government, tertiary institutions, industry and the broader nanotechnology community. This program is positioned as a flagship program for the school. Its purpose is to excite and support science students pursuing careers in the emerging nanotechnology industry. The program also engages other students, parents and the community, creating knowledge and recognizing many different perspectives and concerns about a new technology.

Pictured are teacher Hong Tay performing the experiment for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles and students involved in a workshop using shape memory alloys.

The nanotechnology program presently consist of two curricula - an investigation into nanotechnology and nanoscience for year 10 and a unit for year 11 Chemistry titled 'What is Gold?'.

The nanotechnology curricula have been developed into a web-based e-learning package through a design initiative of the Victorian State Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development. This program was launched on Friday 18th May as part of the overall SHINE package. The SHINE logo, brand and website were designed by R-Co and GeekIT.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Dr Kristin Alford presented a review of nanotechnology at St Helena Secondary College at the NSTI Nanotech 2007 Conference in Santa Clara, California, USA 20-24 April. Download a copy of the paper.
St Helena Secondary College was awarded the Curriculum Innovation Award at the Victorian Education Excellence Awards on Friday 11 May. Mrs Francesca Calati, Dr Amanda Clarke and the nanotechnology teaching team from St Helena Secondary College were presented with the Award on Friday evening at a Gala event hosted by the Department of Education. The Curriculum Innovation Award recognizes innovative learning and teaching practice in schools. The Award provides $20,000 to cover costs associated with travel, accommodation, leave and any other support required to undertake, extend, consolidate or document the curriculum innovation. St Helena intend to use this for the implementation of Teacher Professional Development in the nanotechnology curriculum.
Mrs Francesca Calati was awarded the $50,000 Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools. The award was presented at a black tie ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra on 19th September. The award recognises her outstanding chemistry teaching career and the innovative nanotechnology curriculum she developed with her team at St Helena. Mrs Calati was nominated for this award by Nanotechnology Victoria with the support of Bridge8 and St Helena Secondary College.
Mrs Francesca Calati, Dr Amanda Clarke and Dr Kristin Alford presented aspects of the SHINE program at the Education Day for COMS2007 in Melbourne on 5th September.