Deakin partner with In2Science program

SECONDARY students in Geelong and throughout Victoria’s south-west can now get access to passionate and enthusiastic STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) mentors with Deakin University from as soon as this year as part of the highly successful mentoring program In2science.

Deakin is the latest university to join the program as a partner, with existing In2science partners La Trobe University, The University of Melbourne, RMIT University and Swinburne University of Technology delivering In2science to more than 90 secondary schools across metropolitan Melbourne.

In2science is an innovative and proven multi-university schools partnership program that places university students as mentors inside Victorian high school classrooms.

For nearly 20 years, In2science has been promoting the importance of science and maths through its 10-week mentoring program delivered by university students studying degrees in STEM disciplines.

By working with the classroom teacher, mentors act as role models to secondary students, sharing their passion and knowledge for STEM and, importantly, relating schoolwork to real-world examples.

In2science mentors also act as role models, sharing their passion for STEM and encouraging secondary students from educationally-disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue tertiary studies.

The Deakin-led part of the program will be trialled among a small number of schools this year ahead of a full rollout across Geelong and Warrnambool partner schools next year.

Deakin vice-chancellor Professor Iain Martin said his university’s involvement would enable the program to be delivered to secondary schools not only in Geelong but across south-west Victoria, including Warrnambool and surrounding regional towns.

“Deakin is excited to bring In2science to schools across regional Victoria.

“This program provides secondary school students with a wonderful opportunity to engage in STEM and, hopefully, inspire the next generation of students and graduates in STEM courses and occupations.”

In2science chair and La Trobe University chancellor Professor John Brumby is thrilled that more students across Victoria can now access this impactful program.

“We know that In2science gets kids excited about STEM and encourages aspirations for studying STEM at university, opening up the world of opportunities that STEM careers provide,” Professor Brumby said.

Schools with enquiries about the new partnership or wanting to request a mentor can email Nathan Coffey at [email protected].