Modernising School Science: the Einstein-First Project
Australian National University, Canberra
Curtin University of Technology, Perth
The University of Western Australia, Perth
Posted 2/10/2019. Scholarship applications due 31/10/2019.
Opportunity to join an exciting international education project for PhD or Masters by Research
There is worldwide recognition of the need modernise science education to make it consistent with the modern “Einsteinian” conception of space, time, matter, light and gravity. The Einstein-First project, funded by the Australian Research Council, will spend five years developing, testing and assessing an integrated Einsteinian curriculum. Primary and secondary school curricula will be trialed, tested and improved through longitudinal studies in partner schools; and teachers will be trained and assisted in presenting curriculum content.
We are seeking PhD and Masters students who have a background in physics, knowledge of both quantum physics and special and general relativity, and an interest in science communication, outreach and education. Research students will specialise in either Primary or Secondary or Teacher professional development, with projects focused on program delivery and/or program assessment.
In joining this project you will be helping to create a revolutionary new school curriculum that will be consistent with our modern understanding of the universe, and the modern technologies that have revolutionised our lives. For more information, please visit www.einsteinianphysics.com
Research will be taking place in Perth and Canberra and at linked schools. Postgraduate positions can be supported at University of Western Australia (UWA), Curtin University, and Australian National University (ANU Canberra). Students will need to separately enroll at one of these institutions according to discussions with team members. The project will be managed by UWA but researchers will be expected to spend some of their time at each of the lead universities.
Australian permanent residents and New Zealand applicants need to satisfy entrance requirements for postgraduate enrolment which ideally will include ability to secure a scholarship at UWA or the other participating universities.
Currently non-Australian residents will be liable for international student fees of $40k per annum at UWA. Keep in mind that different universities charge different international student fees which change over time.
Exceptional students (top 5% category) with several international publications have the chance of securing an IPRS scholarship or similar scholarships available. Students outside of the top 10% category have little chance unless their research experience and publications are exceptionally well aligned with the project. Even then, scholarships are in very tight supply at UWA generally, and alignment with the project is not a criterion for centrally-provided scholarships.
Application instructions
Candidates are to submit the following documents to Ruby Chan, Project Officer Ruby.Chan@uwa.edu.au:
• a letter of interest explaining why are you interested in this project and how you will contribute using your previous knowledge;
• Detailed CV;
• contact information for two academic referees; and
• applicants from Australia and New Zealand should submit a UWA scholarship application before the due date of 31 October 2019. Click here to view scholarship details and eligibility requirements for UWA’s Round 1, 2020 Scholarships.
For guidance and support, please contact the relevant Chief Investigators below:
• Prof. Susan Scott (susan.scott@anu.edu.au);
• Prof. Grady Venville (Grady.Venville@anu.edu.au);
• Prof. David Treaguest (D.Treagust@curtin.edu.au);
• E/Prof. David Blair, FAA (David.Blair@uwa.edu.au);
• Prof. Li Ju (Li.Ju@uwa.edu.au); and
• Prof. Stephen Humphry (Stephen.Humphry@uwa.edu.au)
Opportunity to join an exciting international education project for PhD or Masters by Research
There is worldwide recognition of the need modernise science education to make it consistent with the modern “Einsteinian” conception of space, time, matter, light and gravity. The Einstein-First project, funded by the Australian Research Council, will spend five years developing, testing and assessing an integrated Einsteinian curriculum. Primary and secondary school curricula will be trialed, tested and improved through longitudinal studies in partner schools; and teachers will be trained and assisted in presenting curriculum content.
We are seeking PhD and Masters students who have a background in physics, knowledge of both quantum physics and special and general relativity, and an interest in science communication, outreach and education. Research students will specialise in either Primary or Secondary or Teacher professional development, with projects focused on program delivery and/or program assessment.
In joining this project you will be helping to create a revolutionary new school curriculum that will be consistent with our modern understanding of the universe, and the modern technologies that have revolutionised our lives. For more information, please visit www.einsteinianphysics.com
Research will be taking place in Perth and Canberra and at linked schools. Postgraduate positions can be supported at University of Western Australia (UWA), Curtin University, and Australian National University (ANU Canberra). Students will need to separately enroll at one of these institutions according to discussions with team members. The project will be managed by UWA but researchers will be expected to spend some of their time at each of the lead universities.
Australian permanent residents and New Zealand applicants need to satisfy entrance requirements for postgraduate enrolment which ideally will include ability to secure a scholarship at UWA or the other participating universities.
Currently non-Australian residents will be liable for international student fees of $40k per annum at UWA. Keep in mind that different universities charge different international student fees which change over time.
Exceptional students (top 5% category) with several international publications have the chance of securing an IPRS scholarship or similar scholarships available. Students outside of the top 10% category have little chance unless their research experience and publications are exceptionally well aligned with the project. Even then, scholarships are in very tight supply at UWA generally, and alignment with the project is not a criterion for centrally-provided scholarships.
Application instructions
Candidates are to submit the following documents to Ruby Chan, Project Officer Ruby.Chan@uwa.edu.au:
• a letter of interest explaining why are you interested in this project and how you will contribute using your previous knowledge;
• Detailed CV;
• contact information for two academic referees; and
• applicants from Australia and New Zealand should submit a UWA scholarship application before the due date of 31 October 2019. Click here to view scholarship details and eligibility requirements for UWA’s Round 1, 2020 Scholarships.
For guidance and support, please contact the relevant Chief Investigators below:
• Prof. Susan Scott (susan.scott@anu.edu.au);
• Prof. Grady Venville (Grady.Venville@anu.edu.au);
• Prof. David Treaguest (D.Treagust@curtin.edu.au);
• E/Prof. David Blair, FAA (David.Blair@uwa.edu.au);
• Prof. Li Ju (Li.Ju@uwa.edu.au); and
• Prof. Stephen Humphry (Stephen.Humphry@uwa.edu.au)
