Engaging with schools and increasing promary school students' interest in science: An intersectoral collaboration

This paper discusses an initiative called ‗Scientists in Schools‘ which was implemented with a group of seventy (n=70) Year 4 and Year 7 students studying in a local school in regional South Australia with the primary objective of raising awareness and interest in the study of sciences. Mezirow‘s critical reflection was used by the teacher and lecturers involved to evaluate the initiative. Findings revealed an overall satisfaction with the initiative in teaching salient aspects of science to school children, providing ample opportunities for learning about university, and at the same time enhancing personal and professional growth and development for the school teacher and academics involved.