Indigenous Science Education Program (ISEP)
Our History
The ISEP is a on-going program that has grown out of a recognition by the Aboriginal elders in our partner communities of the need for initiatives which promote the importance of education in the lives of Aboriginal young people and which engage Aboriginal students. Its main aim is to encourage Aboriginal students to see science as a fun, interesting and rewarding activity by providing interesting and challenging hands on activities.
The program was born in October 2004 in northern NSW, is the result of a close relationship between MQ academics and local Aboriginal communities. That relationship had come about through on-going research with local elders into the chemistry of bush foods and medicines. This research is part of a cooperative project between Aboriginal elders and the university to investigate the properties and effectiveness of Indigenous remedies, with the dual aims of preserving that knowledge within communities and investigating how those remedies could be developed to provide revenue to Aboriginal people. A core commitment of the MQ approach to this type of research is providing on-going support to partner communities as in-kind payment for their participation. To develop these initiatives Macquarie University staff and academics conducted a workshop with Aboriginal elders and community members from 12 Local Aboriginal Land Councils of Yaegl and Bundjalung country. The meeting was to discuss the methods behind the bush medicine research as well as potential community support and benefit sharing opportunities. During the discussions the elders expressed their worry at the alarmingly low numbers of their Indigenous youth completing their High School studies.
As a break from the meeting the university team brought with them a range of hands-on science activities for the young people present. Unfortunately the elders enjoyed the activities so much the kids didn’t get a look in, which led one elder to remark “Jeez, our kids would love this.” The popularity of this hands-on, practical approach to science education amongst the Aboriginal people present was obvious, with several people commenting that they had never had an opportunity to “get their hands dirty” learning about scientific concepts. So the elders requested the assistance of the MQ team as scientists and educators to encourage their youth to complete High School and consider further education. They were convinced that science activities such as the ones they had just experienced, could be an excellent way to motivate Indigenous students, and urged us to conduct Science Shows at schools. This led to the establishment of ISEP in January 2005, in collaboration with Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Science Teachers and Aboriginal Education Assistants (AEAs) of Yaegl and Bundjalung Country.
The program uses school and university based practical activities to develop the student’s skills, leadership and confidence in a number of innovative ways. The initiative came from within the community. Through working with the schools, local Aboriginal people, parents and leaders, this program promotes a feeling of belonging that is giving parents and teachers a greater opportunity to motivate and assist students in the sciences and in education generally.
- The training of Indigenous students as ‘demonstrators’ and ‘teachers’. This has meant that they can set up, run and explain the science to their peers, junior students and the public as part of Science shows and science classes. This, along with achieving praise for their efforts has resulted in these students becoming excellent role models and mentors. By entrusting them with a high level of responsibility, these activities also provide students with leadership skills and bolster their confidence, self esteem, literacy and presentation skills.
- The provision of on-going activities for the students, so that they are engaged in activities throughout their entire secondary studies. To ensure students are motivated to continue with their education, a key aspect of this program is to interact with them on a regular basis.
- The interaction of school students’ with University staff and students. The interaction with MQ staff and especially young enthusiastic MQ science students provides Indigenous students with some insight into University life and science-based career opportunities and demystifies University education. Even more importantly it reinforces the social responsibility of MQ in reaching out and giving back to the wider community. This positive experience ensures a ripple effect, far beyond the target of ISEP.
Since the program’s inception the ISEP has branched out from the original chemistry based practicals into botany and bush foods and medicines, microbes and bacteria, insects, bones and computing. We bring regular groups of students to Sydney for on-campus residential activities and provide rural and remote indigenous students experiences in university life and opportunities to visit places and meet people they might not otherwise meet. We now provide regular science based education activities to 4 different high schools around northern NSW and Western Sydney, participate annually in the National Science Week, Croc Fest and the Siemens Science Experience and are always working with our partners both at the university and in communities around NSW to better provide fun, interesting and inspiring educational activities to Aboriginal young people.