Primary and high school students will gain an early taste of university next week when they engage in robotics, art and business at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Caboolture.
Fifty primary students from Wamuran and Caboolture state schools will take part in robotics and art activities on campus on Thursday, April 22, as part of the Teacher Education Done Differently project.
On the same day, 35 high school students will take part in QUT Caboolture's Student Business Competition, with scholarships and prize money on offer.
Academic coordinator of education programs Sue Hudson said the federally funded Teacher Education Done Differently project was aimed at ensuring student teachers experienced "real world" teaching and learning before entering the primary school classroom.
"The day is also about providing an exciting experience for school students and giving them a taste of what is available at university," Ms Hudson said.
"The school students benefit and the student teachers have the chance to practise the new skills they have learnt during the semester."
Faculty of Business academic coordinator Luca Casali said seven teams of local Year 12 students had entered the Student Business Competition which involved creating a business plan and was judged by industry professionals.
Prizes include:
•Winning team: $1000 scholarship and $250 case for each student and $3000 for the winning school
•Second place: a $500 scholarship and $100 cash for each student
•All participating students to receive a $500 scholarship
Mr Casali said the competition had been designed to give Year 12 students from local schools the opportunity to demonstrate their business knowledge in a fun, creative way and to allow students to become comfortable with working in a university environment.
"We hope the competition will boost the self-confidence of the students and enhance their presentation skills, with the competition culminating in a presentation to a board of industry professionals," he said.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY THURSDAY APRIL 22
Robotics and art in action 10-12 noon
Business competition 12-2pm
J Block, QUT Caboolture, Manley & Tallon Streets
Media contact: QUT marketing officer Justin Laing on 0424 929 834 or justin.laing@qut.edu.au
