PAUL Schupina is passionate about science and delighted the laboratories at Wodonga Institute of TAFE have been opened up to Albury and Wodonga secondary students.
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“In schools, to be able to do a lot of prac work is expensive and takes a lot of resources,” Mr Schupina, a TAFE industry trainer said.
“We are fortunate here at Wodonga TAFE in that we have a lot of specialised equipment schools don’t have.
“We want them to come in and experience the sort of prac work they can’t get at schools.”
The TAFE recently received an $80,000 Federal Government grant to develop the program that aims to encourage stu- dents to consider a career in science.
So over the next six months, students can explore the technical skills used in such processes as distillation, titration and atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
“Science has not been chosen that much by students but we need it because science underpins so much of what we do in manufacturing and innovation,” Mr Schupina said.
Nine secondary schools will take part in laboratory sessions and industry representatives will attend the sessions to talk to students about the relevance of laboratory work and career opportunities.
Year 9 student Sara Hancock, 14, said the laboratory session had made her contemplate pursuing science subjects.
“It really does open your eyes (to) how interesting it is,” Sara said.
