Melbourne, 6 December 2007
Siemens will today launch the Summer 2007/8 series of the annual The Siemens Schools Science Experience (TSSE) with an explosive display of the fun side of science at Victoria University’s Footscray Park Campus.
In a demonstration filled with fireballs, flaming hands and volcanic-esque eruptions, 140 year nine students from 13 schools within Melbourne’s Western Region, thanks to the support of Western Chances, will be encouraged to consider the possibilities of a career in science at the finale of the first TSSE session for 2007/8.
Under the guidance of top university scientists, this Summer more than 40,000 of our brightest year-9 students will experience university-level science experiments in the three-day seminars at universities across Australia.
According to Siemens Australia Managing Director, Albert Goller, TSSE is an inspirational way for Siemens to support tomorrow’s scientific leaders and exposes students to a view of science outside of the traditional classroom environment.
“Global awareness and action on issues such as climate change has caused a resurgence of interest in science and an acknowledgment of the importance of investing in science for the benefit of future generations. As an organisation committed to innovation and finding workable solutions for the mega-problems facing Australia and the world, Siemens is excited to once again be supporting TSSE and showing students that science can be an engaging and varied career choice,” Mr Goller said.
“Globally, we are experiencing a skills shortage in the field of science and initiatives like TSSE go a long way towards showing students the rich rewards they can reap from a career in science. It is also an enriching experience for the many leading scientists who we are privileged to have join us on the program. For these scientists, TSSE enables us to see their professions through new eyes and consider fresh ideas in their own individual research,” Mr Goller concluded.
TSSE is a co-operative venture managed and conducted by the Science Schools Foundation Inc., a voluntary non-profit association sponsored by Siemens Ltd, with the assistance of Rotary, science teachers and almost all universities in Australia. Rotary clubs around Australia contribute about $80,000 annually through their sponsorship of local students. No government, other than the Queensland Government, provides financial support.
The 2007/8 Siemens Science Experience Summer series will be taking place nationally throughout December and January.