Engaging the Community in Science: A Student-Led Model for Inclusive STEM Outreach and Experiential Learning

Joanne Faith Jamie; Ian Jamie

Authors

Professor Joanne Jamie Macquarie University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5449-2838
Dr Ian Jamie Macquarie University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0326-5074

Keywords:

Co-designed learning, Experiential Learning, STEM Outreach

Abstract

Macquarie University’s Engaging the Community in Science is a year-long subject that supports undergraduate students to co-design and deliver interactive and impactful Chemistry, Science and STEM outreach activities, including for Indigenous, rural, and regional school students, the public, and for fellow university students.

Engaging the Community in Science attracts students from across Macquarie University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering as well as Humanities and Arts. This diverse student cohort, along with the hands-on workshop mode of teaching and year-long engagement, fosters a close, highly collaborative and interdisciplinary learning environment. Students also get to witness and reflect on the impact of their work on the school, university and community members they engage with, leading to their own building of pride.

Exemplars include Engaging the Community in Science students co-designing Indigenous themed activities alongside First Nations cultural educators, adapting customary Aboriginal medicinal plant and sustainable energy practicals for both university and school audiences, running chemistry magic shows for public events, and designing spectroscopy workshops for HSC chemistry students.

Engaging the Community in Science students gain valuable experiential learning opportunities that deepen their understanding of scientific concepts and their real-world applications, and they develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, project management, and problem-solving, skills that are highly valued across all career paths.

Ultimately, Engaging the Community in Science prepares Macquarie University students for careers in science education, communication, policy, and research, while also enriching academic staff through reciprocal learning, and providing impactful STEM education and community engagement.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We acknowledge that this work was conducted on the land of the Wallumattagal people of Dharug Nation and pay our respects to all First Nations peoples who have collaborated with the Engaging the Community in Science students. We acknowledge former and present students in Engaging the Community in Science for their valuable contributions.

Author Biographies

Professor Joanne Jamie, Macquarie University

Professor in Bioorganic, Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry in the School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University.

Joanne's current research is focused on collaborative partnerships with Indigenous communities for documentation, biological screening and isolation of bioactive compounds from ‘bush’ foods and medicines and community capability strengthening; and the development of STEM educational resources and programs and the evaluation of their effectiveness for empowering youth under-represented in higher education.

As part of her work on customary medicinal plants with Yaegl Elders of northern NSW, Joanne and her team have published journal articles co-authored with the Elders and developed a bush medicine handbook for use in education and cultural tourism, as well as facilitated a Cultural Immersion Program – The River of Learning. As a best ethical practice extension to this research, she has also established with the Elders, and with fellow chemist (and husband) Dr Ian Jamie, the National Indigenous Science Education Program (NISEP, nisep.org.au), which uses Western and Indigenous science to enhance educational outcomes for Indigenous youth. Joanne, along with Ian, additionally developed and convenes the Macquarie University subject Engaging the Community in Science, which allows Macquarie undergraduate students to contribute to and increase the capacity of NISEP and other STEM engagement. NISEP has received various awards and accolades, including the 2011 Australian Learning Teaching and Council Award, the 2016 PwC Innovator of the Year as part of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) STEM 21st Century Minds Accelerator Program, the 2019 Macquarie University Reconciliation Award, the 2019 inaugural Australian Museum Eureka Prize for STEM Inclusion and the 2021 AFR Higher Education Opportunity and Inclusion Award.
Dr Ian Jamie, Macquarie University

Ian Jamie is from the School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University. He was one of the founders of what is now the Advancing Science by Enhancing Laboratory Learning project. He has contributed to the development of the Chemistry Threshold Learning Outcome and is engaged in improving assessment methods in Chemistry. Ian is a Co-Director of the National Indigenous Science Education Program (NISEP). NISEP’s aim is to help low socioeconomic communities change their youth’s attitudes towards, engagement with, and aspirations for education. By using science engagement, NISEP seeks to provide Indigenous students with the skills and attitudes required to secure science and technology-based education and employment opportunities. Ian is a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI), a past Chair of the RACI Chemical Education Division and a recipient of the RACI Pearson Educator of the Year (2009). As part of NISEP, he has received the 2011 Australian Learning Teaching and Council Award, the 2019 inaugural Australian Museum Eureka Prize for STEM Inclusion and the 2021 AFR Higher Education Opportunity and Inclusion Award.