Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school students from the Caboolture and Moreton Bay region will spend their school holidays learning - heading back to class, this time at QUT.
More than 20 students from years 9 and 10 will take part in the inaugural Science and Infrastructure Development (SID) Winter School, a residential program hosted by QUT's Oodgeroo Unit in partnership with Parsons Brinckerhoff.
Oodgeroo Unit director Professor Anita Lee Hong said the Winter School, which runs from July 1-4, aimed to increase university participation of Indigenous students in the areas of science and technology.
"The SID Winter School is about demystifying university to Indigenous students and encouraging an interest in higher education related to science and infrastructure development," Professor Lee Hong said.
"By attending and taking part in this residential camp and engaging with others from similar backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can discover that going to university is one of the many post-school options available to them."
Professor Lee Hong said during the SID Winter School, students would work with Parsons Brinckerhoff staff and QUT Indigenous Student Ambassadors to complete activities at QUT's Science and Engineering Centre, Parsons Brinckerhoff's Brisbane office and the Royal Australian Air Force at Amberley Air Base.
"We believe this is the first camp for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander students that specifically focuses on careers in science, technology, stakeholder engagement, urban development and planning," she said.
Taking part in the Winter School are students from Morayfield State High, Bribie Island State High, Bray Park State High and Pine Rivers State High, who will also attend a graduation ceremony with the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs, Glen Elmes, as special guest.
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Media contacts:
- Sandra Hutchinson, QUT media officer (Tue/Wed), 07 3138 9449 or media@qut.edu.au
- Rose Trapnell, QUT media team leader, 07 3138 2361
