Taking maths and physics to the regions

Mathematicians and physicists from The University of Queensland's will cover thousands of kilometres as they help regional Queensland teachers prepare for the new senior science and mathematics syllabuses. The School of Mathematics and Physics team will traverse the state throughout October, helping teachers refresh their knowledge and learn new content. Statistics expert Dr Michael Bulmer said the teachers needed varying degrees of support, depending on their background knowledge and experience. "The new syllabuses are an exciting but challenging opportunity for teachers, as they introduce a range of statistical concepts that are not in the current curriculum," Dr Bulmer said. " Dr Barbara Maenhaut , Dr Ian McCulloch and I are hoping to give regional teachers the support they need, helping them inspire the next generation to pursue a career in maths and physics. "We'll be visiting six regional centres - the Atherton Tablelands, Cairns, Mackay, Townsville, Gladstone and Toowoomba - delivering workshops on statistics, graphs and networks, and particle physics." Physicist Dr McCulloch said several topics dealing with quantum physics and relativity would be unfamiliar to many teachers. "Physics is a fast-changing field, and this is a fantastic opportunity to connect with teachers shaping the next generation of physicists," he said.