University made real for a new generation

Filming and editing video, making robots, and forensic finger printing were among the activites that more than 95 year 10 and 11 students from NSW priority action schools experienced during the latest UTS Make it Real Summer School.

Now it its third year, the Make it Real Summer School is run over two weeks during the January school holidays.  It is part of an ongoing UTS outreach program called U@Uni that aims to grow the aspirations of students who may not have considered university study as a real option after finishing high school. Participants are mentored by UTS students who study IT, engineering, communications and science.

Year 10 Ashcroft High students Reice Williams (L)& Nguyen Hoang, photo Robert Button

UTS Student Equity Manager Ruth Thompson said a number of students who participated in the first summer school held in 2009 had not only completed their HSC last year, but had also applied to study at UTS.

“It's satisfying to see the program opening up possibilities and opportunities for talented young people who may not otherwise have considered careers supported by a university degree,” Ms Thompson said.

"We know that 13 of our 2009 Summer School participants sat the HSC last year.  Of those 13, ten have applied to study at university in 2011, and two have accepted offers from UTS."

Beginning with the 2009 'Make it Reel' Summer School where students learned how to produce, film and edit their own video productions, the Make it Real Summer Schools have grown to include opportunities for learning about robotics and engineering through the 'Make a Real Robot' Summer School, and about the practical application of science and forensics through the 'Real Science Investigation" Summer School.

Ms Thompson said that the Equity & Diversity Unit would be working with other UTS faculties in 2011 to expand the Summer School program, which was cited in a 2009 DEEWR report as a model of good practice for outreach to schools in low SES communities.

"Feedback from schools shows that they welcome collaboration with universites and value the initiatives UTS is offering to help students develop confidence and ambition in their studies and aspire to university," she said.

Year 11 students Tamf Le and Vicki Wong from Birrong Girls High School were among participants in the latest Make a Real Robot Summer School at UTS.

"It is challenging, and the fact it is challenging makes it fun, Tamf Le said. "I want to study engineering one day."

Year 11 Birrong Girls High School students Dana Nguyen (L), Tamf Le & Vicki Wong photo, Robert Button

"I have had a lot of fun seeing the university’s campus.  Doing this course makes me like the uni and consider studying engineering at UTS," Ms Wong said.

Fairfield High Teacher Kathleen Hannigan has participated in the Make it Real Summer Schools since they began in 2009. She said the program played an important role in demystifying university life for many students who came from disadvantaged or refugee and migrant backgrounds and altered their expectations.

"Most of the students who participate in the Summer Schools come from families where no one has been to university and the idea of going to university can seem unattainable," Ms Hannigan said.

"Many students may have serious cultural and educational hurdles to overcome to be able to see themselves attending university. The UTS Summer Schools provide an immediate experience of university education and campus life. Students can experience a sense of success and achievement through their involvement in the UTS activities and it gives them something more real and tangible to work towards through their school studies.

"When they return to school we see that these students have more confidence - in working in teams, managing stress and deadlines. Many have become much more motivated, even to volunteer in school committees - the difference has been amazing."