ABOUT INSPIRE
WELCOME!
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INSPIRE is a brand new initiative coming out of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and is enabled by the QLD government's Advance QLD Engaging Science Grant program. It aims to Implement Novel Stem Partnerships in Rural Education (I.N.S.P.I.R.E).
We are sending the best and brightest final year students studying degrees in the health/science field at QUT, match them with a senior postgraduate student or postdoctoral researcher mentor, who both will be visiting the rural and remote communities of Normanton, Mt Isa or Kingaroy during National Science Week. Here the duo will teach science to Year 9&10 students (complementing the host-school curriculum), and deliver interactive workshops at local community centres.
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Do you want to INSPIRE?
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Sincerely,

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Dr. Honor Hugo,
INSPIRE Program director
Benefits to the Undergraduate student
A broadened perspective on problems faced by rural communities, development of communication skills, re-inforcement of scientific concepts learnt at university, exposure to a positive mentoring experience, and a chance to build their CV in preparation for employment.
Who is Honor Hugo?
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Read more about Honor here at her blog "Perspectives of a cancer Researcher".
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Honor is one of the founding members of InforMD, a website providing information and updates from the research field on mammographic density.
Honor is a Lecturer in Molecular Pathology at QUT and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow working at the Translational Research Institute in Woolloongabba, QLD. Her research interests are in understanding how mammographic density, the whitest and brightest areas on a mammogram, contribute to increased breast cancer risk.
Benefits to the rural high school science teachers
Rural high school science teachers will receive support to teach STEM curriculum by the fresh approach taken by the undergrad-mentor team and through the distribution of science teaching materials.
INSPIRE will lay the foundation for rural and remote school students and teachers to then visit QUT and benefit from the hands-on science initiatives running at this university.
Benefits to the rural high school student
Introduction to STEM subjects (initially biomedical science) in a unique and enthusiastic manner, receive industry relevant teaching, be encouraged that STEM career pathways are a real possibility.