Albemarle Lithium has partnered with the University of Western Australia’s Einstein-First Project to reformulate school science.
Project coordinator Dr. Jyoti Kaur of UWA’s School of Physics said partnering with a company helping pave the way to a renewable energy future was a perfect match for Einstein-First.
“Lithium is an important mineral for the transition to a low-carbon economy and the project aims to redesign, assess and optimize school science at all educational levels to reflect modern understandings of space, time, matter and the universe,” said Dr Kaur. .
“Our programs involve active learning with renewable energy and, in fact, Einstein’s discoveries were vital to the development of solar panels.
“The aim of the program is to see many more students aspire to a variety of careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and ultimately contribute to Australia’s future prosperity.”
The partnership with Albemarle, launched recently at the company’s Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing plant site, will see industry working with researchers to directly improve the learning experience for students.
Kemerton site director Daniel O’Shea said Albemarle was delighted to be involved in creating what would ultimately be a more engaging learning experience for South West science students in grades 3 through 5. 10th year.
“Kids today are already familiar with the idea of renewable energy,” he said. “They are less aware that our local industry helps support many renewable energy developments like electric vehicles.
“Creating this partnership between researchers and Albemarle will provide insight into what we do and hopefully engage and open minds to future possibilities.”
The program, led by UWA researchers working with the Gravity Discovery Centre, Ozgrav and the LIGO Science Collaboration, will be rolled out to local primary and secondary schools, with six secondary, eight primary and two composite schools already in the Bunbury area. sign.
UWA Professor Emeritus David Blair said children’s ability to understand modern scientific concepts was undervalued in schools.
“The modern concepts that underpin all of our modern technologies, from photons to black holes, are easily grasped through our activity-based curriculum,” he said. “Teachers love it because the kids are so engaged.”
