Australian Science Innovations

Science Summer School

The Science Summer School is an accelerated science course for 72 secondary-school students invited on the basis of their performance in the National Qualifying Exams. It runs for two weeks in January at Monash University.

The School is an opportunity for talented students to work with others passionate about science. The work is intense and covers the equivalent of first year studies in biology, chemistry or physics. It's a great head start to further studies (and careers) in science.

• The first step is to register for the National Qualifying Exams. In October ASI will contact schools to invite students to attend the Summer School. All invited students are given assignments and tutorials by correspondence in the weeks before the Summer School. Program Directors will discuss these requirements with all students in their group.
• There is a fee to attend the Science Summer School and the cost to students in 2009 was $1,500. This helps pay for the training program, meals, accommodation and transport in Melbourne. The support of our sponsors keeps our fees as low as possible.
• The School is staffed by experienced teachers and former Science Olympians. The three programs are each led by a Director, responsible for organising the courses, looking after the students, and managing staff.
• Students live and work at the University where they attend lectures and work at the laboratory bench. They study biology, chemistry or physics at first year university level, working in small groups in their chosen discipline. Each group has about 24 students.
• Accommodation is at one of Monash University's residential colleges, where all students have their own room. Meals are in college or perhaps an informal lunch on campus.

Australia's three teams in the Science Olympiads are chosen from the students who attend the Science Summer School. They will be selected on how well they did at the School, and on their performance in the Final Selection Exam held in March.

"At the beginning of the Summer School, you told us that it would be a life changing experience and now, I couldn't agree more. I honestly don't think I have ever studied so much before and doubt I ever will, but I learnt so much and had a lot of fun getting to know so many wonderful people."   Other student comments