An exciting new partnership will see Stawell students granted front-row access to world-leading research.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Stawell Secondary College has joined forces with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics, who will develop learning resources and activities for the students.
Dark Matter Center representatives visited the school last week to explore the potential to work together, with the Stawell Underground Physics Lab sitting at the school's doorstep.
Centre chief operating Officer Amanda Western, a former Stawell resident who has been closely involved in the inception of SUPL, said lessons on dark matter could be integrated in classes next year, along with incursions and excursions.
"I am excited to be back in Stawell to leverage the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory project to benefit local students and the broader community," she said.
"The program being developed between the Dark Matter Centre and Stawell Secondary College will be in place for seven years, so this allows time for the activities to create real, long-lasting outcomes."
IN OTHER NEWS: Halls Gap Golf Club recognised in new book
Education and Outreach Coordinator Jackie Bondell said she hoped the partnership and the proximity to potentially world-changing research, inspired an interest in science and physics among Stawell students.
"The program we are developing is likely to include several science incursions and an Artist-In-Residence Workshop. We are also keen to look at ways the Design Factory Melbourne might deliver an Innovation Workshop for Year 9 students in 2021".
Stawell Secondary College principal Carlos Lopez said he had embraced the opportunity for students to benefit from Centre that was the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere
"The pioneering spirit of the dark matter endeavour may someday reveal many of the deepest secrets in our universe and we are thrilled to participate and form part of the education program," Mr Lopez said.
LOOKING FORWARD: Mayor's Christmas message after 'tough year'
"We believe that this project embodies the true meaning of science though courage and determination. Humble Stawell is currently the port of departure for a venture into the unknown, in a quest to extend our knowledge as human beings, and we are thrilled to be part of this ride.
"Our students (and our community) will benefit greatly from this association and hope to use the educational experiences as a way to promote the importance of the scientific process and develop a close relationship with the team. We are confident that our engagement with the Dark Matter Centre will help promote the importance of curiosity and inquiry in the context of major developments in the field of physics world-wide."