In2Science Microscopes
In2Science is a schools partnership program that places volunteer university mentors in secondary school classes to inspire students to study STEM disciplines. The University of Melbourne was able to donate 65 microscopes worth over $30,000 to local partner schools.
Laverton College, Thomastown Secondary College and Hume Central Secondary College recently received 65 Olympus biological microscopes that enable x400 magnification to help students studying science.
Pictured: In2Science Coordinator Madeleine Yewers [right] delivered the microscopes to Thomastown Science Coordinator Julie George [left].
The In2Science program connects university students with Victorian low socio-economic schools where they volunteer in science or maths classes once a week. Working with the classroom teacher, the mentors help students, share their own experiences and motivations for studying at university, and relate school work to real-world examples. In2Science mentors also act as role models, sharing their passion for STEM and encouraging secondary students from educationally-diverse backgrounds to pursue tertiary studies.
Access to equipment and facilities can be a significant barrier when encouraging students to study STEM disciplines. Donating these microscopes provides these students with opportunities to use equipment they may not otherwise have and helps support the University's sustainability goals.
Pictured,: In2Science Mentor Haydon helped with the delivery to Melbourne schools.
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