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Students invited on stage to present reviews at national science conference

Eleven Year 9 students have been invited to work with top science mentors to review professional science papers and then present their feedback in a 鈥楲ive Review鈥 at the Society for Mental Health Research National Conference in Noosa on 29 November.

The project is hosted by the Thompson Institute at the University of the Sunshine Coast and is used to promote its Frontiers for Young Minds program, which is described as 鈥渟cience for kids, edited by kids鈥.

Frontiers for Young Minds invites distinguished scientists to write about their cutting-edge discoveries in a language that is accessible for young readers.

It is then up to the kids themselves 鈥 with the help of a science mentor 鈥 to provide feedback and explain to the authors how to best improve the articles before publication.

Flinders Head of Curriculum Bill Hooper said Flinders was thrilled to have the opportunity to be involved.

鈥淭his project with the Thompson Institute challenges our Year 9 students to extend themselves and to learn skills in higher-order and critical thinking that will be valuable skills for future learning and life,鈥 Mr Hooper said.

鈥淥ur students also have the unique opportunity to gain experience and understanding in the fascinating field of neuroscience research, brain imaging technology and mental health.

鈥淔linders is only the second group to be invited to present feedback on stage to conference delegates, which makes this a wonderful opportunity for our students to grow their confidence in public speaking.

鈥淚t is also a rewarding opportunity to feel valued for sharing their opinions, which they have arrived at by working diligently and conscientiously.

鈥淥ur students have enjoyed two training sessions with top science mentors, Dr Larisa McLoughlin, Christina Driver and Dr Amanda Clacy.

鈥淭hese mentors have helped guide our students through the review process to provide quality feedback and suggestions to the authors that will make their articles clear and interesting to a young audience.

鈥淭he mentors have also helped our students prepare for their Live Review at the conference.

鈥淎t Flinders, we encourage our students to embrace every opportunity to learn from and collaborate with specialists in our community so they may consider diverse paths available to them in their future beyond graduation.鈥

Thompson Institute project facilitator Susan Schiotz said the mentoring sessions at Flinders had been a great success.

鈥淔linders鈥 students were well prepared and came up with some great questions for the presenters at the Live Review,鈥 Mrs Schiotz said.

鈥淭he students mentioned how they are keen to meet the researchers of the papers and to ask them questions about the research. It鈥檚 going to be a fun event.鈥

After the Live Review event there will be continuing opportunities for Flinders students and other interested students to review further papers and engage in other STEM opportunities the Thompson Institute can provide.

More information on the Thompson Institute can be found at:听

 

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