Monash Science Centre takes a bow
Professor Pat Vickers-Rich
The Monash University Science Centre, located at the Clayton campus, will host its last classes in the science school holiday program this summer.
Science Director Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich will retire from her current role and has accepted a position as Emeritus Professor with Monash to maintain research and academic connections with the wider University community.
Professor Vickers-Rich has had an extensive career with Monash and has held a number of senior positions within the science field over several decades.
Professor Vickers-Rich is internationally renowned for her commitment to the sciences and in particular paleontology, where she has led global research activities in that field.
The centre was established by Professor Vickers-Rich two decades ago and during that time has hosted science programs with a focus on early childhood and primary school education, and has also been home to a number of exhibition spaces. A review earlier this year recommended the University focus its science education programs on students of secondary education level and beyond.
Core administration staff at the centre will commence in new roles throughout the University in the new year.
The school holiday science program for the 2012-2013 summer will continue uninterrupted and future school holiday programs are being considered, with venues yet to be determined.
The University will use the opportunity to refocus its resources on building on its commitment through a number of science teaching and learning facilities, such as the close relationship it shares with the John Monash Science School, co-located at the University’s Clayton campus.