Nuts and bolts session

Title: 'Uni for a Day': Taking the mystery out of university life

Kathryn Boin and Clare Rhoden

Abstract

This session introduces University of Melbourne initiatives - including on-campus experiences and outreach to students, teachers and parents - designed to demystify university life. These intensive programs give rural students the opportunity to experience 'a day in the life' at university, and create meaningful relationships between school and university communities.

Discussion will be focussed around a kit of sample materials used in the planning and delivery of these programs. These materials demonstrate suggestions for:
- designing a program tailored to specific school groups
- recruiting and training university student hosts
- developing strategies to obtain ongoing feedback
- incorporating conversation between school teachers and university academics in to the program

We will conclude with a discussion inviting participants to share suggestions for dealing with the challenges and limitations of such resource-intensive initiatives.