WEHI DeadlyScience Pathways Program

In planning and implementing the best program we would require schools to attend all three days. Interested schools should be aware that by committing to the program, they are committing to the full duration of the program. For schools who require interstate and regional travel, this may include the full week with Monday and Friday being allocated travel days.

We strongly encourage that school groups are accompanied by a teacher with a nationally recognised teaching accreditation. However, we understand that the WEHI DeadlyScience Pathways Program is also an invaluable opportunity for Indigenous Education Workers (IEW) (i.e., School Officers) to learn about First Nations science pathways and to connect on deeper levels with their students, and therefore we also encourage the participation of an IEW, and all accompanying staff members will be fully supported by WEHI. Students therefore must be supported by their accompanying staff member/s for the duration of the program, including outside program hours.

This program is suited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 9-10, and while it is not a requirement that students are high-achieving or high-performing academically in the area of science, students with high-engagement and high-interest in science should be considered eligible to participate by their school leaders. It should be noted that some activities will require a basic level of understanding of scientific concepts, but this will not be a barrier to broader participation in the Program.

We acknowledge that several schools within the DeadlyScience school community are located in regions and areas where relief teaching support can be a barrier to effective participation and teacher professional development. Therefore, we are happy to consider supporting schools in funding relief teaching positions so that teachers may attend the full Program and support their students appropriately. Please indicate if this is something that your school would like to discuss in further detail by contacting the Program Manager.

While the Program has not been designed in correspondence with ACARA, several elements of the Program will elaborate on scientific concepts that may support teachers in meeting the achievement standards within the science curriculum. However, the WEHI DeadlyScience Pathways Program is primarily designed as a practical immersive experience to increase engagement and participation in the area of biomedical science, and to enhance student understandings regarding potential employment and education-related pathways and to support the next generation of First Nations scientists.

Any information collected through the Expression of Interest process will be handled in accordance with the collection notice at the top of the Expression Of Interest form and WEHI’s Privacy Policy.

Once applications are received, we will assess them based on suitability. We will consider the location of the school, ICSEA rating, feasibility, and overall impact. EOIs will remain open to all secondary schools until Sunday 9 June 2024. Schools will be notified of their successful application via email by Sunday 31 July 2024.