29
annual report 2011
Purpose:
Encourage senior high school students to think critically about their educational choices
Learn about the differences between high school and university study
Inspire students to set goals and work to achieve them through their senior years of high school
Build confidence and increase student motivation
Allow schools to select students they believe would benefit from a more intensive program
Step UP Target group: Year 11 Number of schools: 12 Number of students completed full program: 48 When: 22, 23 and 24 June Program Building on the success of the pilot in 2010, the 2011 Step UP program was extended from two days to three to provide the students with a more challenging and thought provoking experience about university life. Students from 11 metropolitan schools and one regional school attended. The Step UP program introduces the students to the different teaching styles used in university and the concept of ‘independent learning’. Over the three days, students attend lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops on improving study skills, and complete small group work assessments and presentations. The activities are more rigorous than other ASPIRE on-campus events targeting younger year groups. Initially the most confronting aspect of Step UP for the students is being placed in mixed work groups without their friends when they first arrive at UNSW. This action is intended to mirror their first day of university where they don’t know anyone on a campus of 50,000 students. Surviving the initial shock of being separated from school friends, the students surprise themselves by learning how easy it is to make good friendships and work closely together on study projects. After three days, strong bonds have been formed between students from diverse backgrounds and a range of schools. In addition to project work, students gain important insights from interaction with current university students and hear the variety of personal stories about overcoming financial, cultural and health challenges to pursue and achieve a university education. Such interactions illuminate the many different pathways to university. The 2011 Step UP event culminated in a graduation ceremony attended by senior management from Citi Australia and special guests and parents. Students were presented with a completion certificate by the Pro-ViceChancellor (Students), Professor Joan Cooper.