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Science teachers and pre-service science teachers from across Brisbane and Ipswich are now better equipped to teach minerals-related subjects thanks to a joint initiative between UQ and the Queensland Resources Council (QRC). The teachers took part in a professional development workshop at UQ’s School of Chemical Engineering on August 13 where they learned basic chemistry and physics concepts in industrial processes that are involved in metal processing and extraction. UQ News Online

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, met with young Australians advising Government on cyber-safety. ‘Young Australians are extremely active online and have a wealth of advice on responding to cyber-safety issues,’ Senator Conroy said. Ministerial media release, 1 September 2009

Detroit Public Schools, along with rest of the nation’s public school systems, educators and lawmakers are in for a rude awakening: the factory school model of education has died. What has arisen from the ashes is Westwood Cyber High School of Westwood Community Schools of Dearborn Heights, Michigan. The visionary pioneer of this cyber-learning inititative is Executive Director, Glen Taylor, who has proudly partnered with Inclusion Trust out of the United Kindgdom. The U.K. ‘Not School’ program, a 100 percent virtual learning experience, has been operational for about 9 years with a 97 percent completion rate.

Arts Minister Peter Garrett announced the start of Australia’s largest ever Books Alive campaign. Now in its eighth year, Books Alive aims to promote the pleasures of reading with some great Australian titles. Mr Garrett said the campaign this year includes a guide to 50 Books You Can’t Put Down and two give-away titles, including a children’s book. Ministerial Media release, 27 August 2009