The Science/Technology Awareness Raising (STAR) programme: A partnership in raising participation through peer tutoring

Elsegood, R., MacCallum, J., Hickey, R. and Jeffreys, B. (1998) The Science/Technology Awareness Raising (STAR) programme: A partnership in raising participation through peer tutoring. In: Goodlad, S., (ed.) Mentoring and tutoring by students. Kogan Page Limited, London, England, pp. 119-134.

Abstract

The Science/Technology Awareness Raising (STAR) Peer Tutoring Programme is a partnership between BP Australia, Murdoch University and schools in Perth, Western Australia.

STAR's aims are to:
-tackle the drift away from science and technology (S&T) by students at all levels
-address issues of equity - to motivate girls and students from educationally-disadvantaged backgrounds, and to raise their aspirations for further study in S&T
-better prepare school-leavers for the often difficult transition to university (or further study) and to help reduce the wasteful and potentially tragic attrition in the first year
-provide a programme that stimulates university students, helps them develop generic/transferable work skills and improves their employability
-involve the university, its staff and students, in a worthwhile community service
-establish an ongoing partnership between the university, schools and industry sponsors/mentors.

Building long-term partnerships is fundamental to the success and future growth of any peer tutoring or mentoring programme-but particularly so when the programme is cross-institutional, cross-age, and seeks to achieve a given goal in the face of complex challenges