Teen Science Cafe
An excellent opportunity to meet and interact with local scientists in a pleasant and informal setting.
The Teen Science Cafe is an initiative targeting Year 8 students. It offers young teenage students opportunities to encounter a number of professional experts in the field of STEM careers. The focus of these encounters is the creation of an interactive informal exchange between students and professionals, to engage students in conversation about STEM themes and career paths in an informal setting, thus impacting positively on students' study and career choices. In this context the Teen Science Cafe will primarily serve as an outreach exercise in terms of promoting careers in science and technology.
Basic information
Youngsters have a very limited view of the scientific-technical professions and the tasks carried out by professionals in these roles, thus limiting the opportunity to imagine themselves as these professionals in the future. (Dewitt et al. 2013). In this context the Department of Curriculum Management took up the initiative to provide students with the possibility of meeting these STEM experts at their school.
During the Teen Science Cafe a number of STEM experts visit the school and encounter young students in a relaxed informal environment. The professional gives a brief introduction and then answers questions from the students. Discussion related to STEM careers continues in this way.