Published on the 5th May 2023 by ANSTO Staff
Key Points
-
Two Australian High School Teachers, Matt Dodds and Jodie O’Connor, have been selected for the CERN International High School Teacher Program
-
The supported program is a collaboration between ANSTO, ASTA (Australian Science Teachers Association), and CERN
-
In July, participants will travel to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Geneva, Switzerland to receive lectures, on-site visits, hands-on workshops, discussions, and Q&A sessions.
We are delighted to announce that two Australian High School Teachers, Matt Dodds and Jodie O’Connor, have been selected for the CERN International High School Teacher Program, which will take place from the 2-15 July 2023 at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Since 1998, CERN has been offering a unique opportunity for Australian High School Science Teachers to attend a two-week summer school. The supported program is a collaboration between ANSTO, ASTA (Australian Science Teachers Association), and CERN, aiming to update participants’ knowledge of particle physics, offer insights into available education resources, and provide opportunities for collaboration with fellow science teachers from around the world.
Participants receive lectures, on-site visits, hands-on workshops, discussions, and Q&A sessions.
The program also includes study groups on various topics related to particle physics and its integration into the classroom.
Throughout the two weeks, teachers’ regular short journals will be shared with the broader education community on ANSTO and ASTA social media platforms.
On their return, ANSTO will support and encourage the teachers to build more awareness and participation in particle physics amongst secondary school students.
Further details of the program can be found at the following link: CERN High School Teacher Program 2023 | ANSTO.
The Australian High School Teachers heading to CERN
Matt Dodds, Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, Tamworth, New South Wales
Matt Dodds is a passionate High School Science Teacher with a particular interest in Physics and hands-on learning. He applied to the CERN High School Teacher Program in pursuit of a deeper understanding of Quantum Physics to better support his students. Matthew has always dreamt of seeing the LHC in person and hopes to gain valuable experience that he can use to motivate his students to study science, particularly Physics. He is passionate about sharing this experience with his physics class and the broader student body, emphasising that the study of Physics is both enriching and deeply rewarding.
“This [program] is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it shows that anything is possible” … “I hope to inspire many more students to push themselves out of their comfort zone and into a world of wonder, and Physics!”
- Matt Dodds
Jodie O’Connor, Carey Baptist Grammar School, Melbourne, Victoria
Jodie O’Connor is a High School Science, Mathematics, and Physics Teacher from Melbourne, Victoria, who previously worked as a mechanical engineer for 12 years. She applied for the CERN High School Teacher Program as she thoroughly enjoys teaching students of all ages about the significance of science and discovery made possible within facilities like CERN. Jodie is looking forward to deepening her knowledge of particle physics while meeting and collaborating with teachers from around the world. She plans to use this experience as a conduit to inspire learning and broaden her students’ minds.
“The global collaboration required to achieve the science and engineering feats at CERN is a fantastic conduit to inspire and open-up students’ minds to the range of skills needed [in science]” … ”being there [CERN] in person to learn first-hand stories will elevate their significance in the classroom”
- Jodie O’Connor
