27 May 2022
A Perth science teacher has been invited to Switzerland where he will work with scientists, engineers and other physics teachers from across the globe to learn about innovative physics concepts to bring back to students.
Churchlands Senior High School science teacher and STEM coordinator Dr Grant Pusey has been selected by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation to attend the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) International High School Teacher Program.
The program will involve learning at the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator.
The LHC is used for the scientific research of particles to help scientists understand matter. It consists of a 27-kilometre ring of superconducting magnets with a number of accelerating structures to boost the energy of the particles along the way.
This year’s program will involve 48 participants from 34 different countries allowing Dr Pusey to build his professional network and learn about the science and engineering that occurs at CERN and the LHC.
Churchlands Senior High School teacher Grant Pusey has been invited to Switzerland.
Dr Pusey said he was thrilled to be selected and is looking forward to passing on what he will learn in Switzerland on to students at Churchlands.
“This is a rare opportunity for anyone and I’ll be doing everything I can to make the most of the experience,” he said.
“I plan to immediately incorporate the knowledge gathered at CERN to help inspire our students to choose a career in STEM, as well as to enhance our teaching of the physics curriculum.
“I’ve learned so much from online and textbook resources, but being at the Large Hadron Collider and learning first hand from those on the ground will offer a completely new perspective. I really look forward to absorbing as much as possible so that I can pass this onto my students.
“Over the years, I’ve learnt a lot from colleagues across Australia and I am excited to connect with more teachers and see how schools around the globe approach their physics teaching.”
Dr Pusey said he was always looking for opportunities to shake up his science lessons, and this opportunity provided just that.
“When teachers take on large-scale professional learning opportunities such as this, they return to school with a renewed passion for the topic and they are keen to get back to the classroom to show off their experiences,” he said.
“These rewarding events provide teachers with an experience outside the context of their learning area, school or even state curriculum.”