Image: The design team of Dr William Billingsley, Dr Mel Robertson-Dean, Dr Russell Bicknell, Dr Adrienne Burns and Dr Tommy Leung with their accolades pictured in UNE’s Natural History Museum.

A while back Pulse reported that a collaborative team from the Schools of Science & Technology, Environmental & Rural Science and Open Learning Ltd has won a platinum award for Best Social Learning Project at the LearnX Live Awards.

The Boosting Science Pathways program has since been embedded in UNE101 and made available to all students offered a place in courses presented by the School of Science & Technology and the School of Environmental and Rural Sciences.

Project leader Dr Adrienne Burns said the program, which is also offered to Early Entry recipients, provides a snapshot of sciences at UNE.

“As much as three months can pass between an early entry offer and the start of the trimester. The Boosting Science program is a fully online learning tool that bridges this gap and enables students to explore scientific thinking while meeting fellow students,” Dr Burns said. “It also helps them build a university-orientated headspace so to speak.”

The pilot program in 2019/20 has been a hit with students who responded with overwhelmingly positive feedback – a snapshot of which if offered below.

“[It] has been a great little introduction into beginning uni. It has refreshed previous knowledge and has introduced me to new ways of learning. It is building my excitement to get stuck into my degree.”

“[It] has taught me and helped me understand difficult concepts that are hard to explain. It has developed my understanding and knowledge to be able to explain different ideas and concepts in a number of ways. The simple yet effective explanations and definitions captured my attention and engaged me to learn. I enjoyed this module and also the activities really helped developed what was learnt”

“It has developed my understanding and knowledge to be able to explain different ideas and concepts in a number of ways. The simple yet effective explanations and definitions captured my attention and engaged me to learn. I enjoyed this module and also the activities really helped developed what was learnt.”

“Great reintroduction into science and a reminder of how fabulous it is!”

Development of the program was funded through the 2019 Higher education participation and partnerships program (HEPPP).