Issue m1, term 1, 2011

Fee-Free Masters or Doctoral degree

Are you looking to reinvigorate your interest and expertise as an educator, or gain extra personal and professional benefit from what you already do?

The Science & Mathematics Education Centre (SMEC) offers you the opportunity to complete higher degrees by research that allow you to investigate issues of interest to you.

A SMEC Masters or Doctorate by research is fee free!

The program will provide you with a strong background in aspects of learning theory, research design and implementation. The program will assist you to conduct research in your own educational setting in areas including Science, Mathematics and Technology education.

For more information visit the SMEC website or call +61 8 9266 7896.

The 2011 Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School (IAESS)

For the second year Curtin hosted the IAESS in January which saw 20 talented year 11 and 12 Indigenous students from around Australia participate in a week long live-in program at Curtin.

The students took part in a range of activities ranging from hands-on engineering labs to career information sessions, site visits and opportunities to network with key industry representatives of sponsor companies such as BHP Billiton, Woodside Energy, Wesfarmers, Rio Tinto and Parsons Brinckerhoff.

Seven of the participants were young women which was particularly encouraging. Nine of the participants were from regional WA however it was disappointing to not receive any applications from Perth metropolitan students. As this is a very unique opportunity, we hope to see some Perth metro students apply for the 2012 IAESS. The aim of the summer school is to provide Indigenous students with an introduction to the opportunities which exist in the engineering profession, and facilitate an educational pathway into this area. IAESS participants have described the summer school as 'life changing'.

For more information about the IAESS email iaess@curtin.edu.au or visit our Engineering Outreach page.

Maths enrichment programme for years 5-11

Since 1998, Curtin's Department of Mathematics and Statistics has successfully run a Mathematics Enrichment programme for Year 5-11 students, and the programme will be running again in 2011.

The programme will be suitable for a broad range of mathematically talented students. The main aim is to develop a sound mathematical understanding and to develop a range of mathematical problem-solving skills. Students will be issued a certificate upon completion of the course.

There will be 16 weekly sessions held at the Curtin University campus in Bentley. The cost for two terms in 2011 is $242 per student (including GST). Places are limited and early applications will be favoured. Students who participated in the 2010 programme are invited to apply for 2011.

For more information, please see Mathematics Enrichment Classes.

Engineering Links

In 2011 Curtin Engineering students will continue to work with secondary students through our Engineering Mentoring Program and also through delivering Engineers Without Borders outreach modules in secondary science classrooms as part of their own assessment. If you would like to find out more about any of these outreach activities, please contact Larissa Andrews on +61 8 9266 7884 or email engineeringoutreach@curtin.edu.au.

Curtin Motorsports Team

Curtin Motorsport Team (CMT) has finished 13th out of a strong field of 27 competitors and completed all dynamic and static events in the recent Formula SAE competition.

The team is always incredibly prepared which is demonstrated with the ease in which they get through technical inspections.

Watch the CMT on YouTube and I think you will agree that CMT has built one of the toughest and most versatile cars in its history at Curtin.

If you want to know more, please go to the Curtin Motorsports Team website and find out how you could be involved. Big thanks go to our sponsors and volunteers for making CMT 's 2010 car the best car in our history.