Please read the following conditions of acceptance.
By clicking the Yes button at the end of the following Ethics Statement you acknowledge the following conditions.
Ethics Statement The Space to Grow
The Space to Grow: The Faulkes Telescope and improving science engagement in schools project is being conducted through Charles Sturt and Macquarie Universities in a sample of New South Wales Catholic and state secondary schools.
The Faulkes Telescopes are two new, innovative, powerful, professional-class, robotic telescopes designed and provided solely as a teaching and learning facility for school children. They are the largest purpose-built educational telescopes in the world with one being the third largest telescope in Australia. With main mirror diameters of 2-metres, one is in Hawaii (FT-North) and the other in Coonabarabran, NSW (FT-South). They are controlled and remotely operated via the internet.
The Space to Grow Project will provide your class with the opportunity to control the F-T South. The project will develop students' skills in science, technology, problem solving and group work. By participating in this project, you and your students will: learn how to control a world-class, scientific-grade telescope; have access to a range of online educational materials that support your teaching and students’ learning; meet and interact with professional astronomers; collaborate with other teachers and students; and, engage in “real” science investigations at school.
This research is being conducted with the approval of your school Principal, the Charles Sturt University Ethics in Human Research Committee, the Catholic Education Offices of Parramatta and Bathurst and the NSW Department of Education and Training. All information collected will remain strictly confidential. No identities will be revealed to any person or authority outside of the research team.
You and your class are invited to take part in this study. The findings of this research will inform future related delivery of the Faulkes Telescopes in secondary school science. In addition, it may improve educational outcomes for students and professional learning experiences for secondary science teachers and could lead to increased interest in, and more postive perceptions of, science at school by students in continuing their studies beyond the post-compulsory years of school.
Participation in the project will mean that you will be asked to complete a questionnaire about the science you teach in secondary school. In addition, your students will also be asked to fill in a questionnaire about the science they experience at school. At the conclusion of your involvement in the project, both you and your students will be asked to complete a second questionnaire that seeks information on your experiences in science at school during the project. There is also the possibility that you and two groups of students (about four in each group) from your participating science class will be interviewed about your experiences in the project.
If you agree to take part in the project please read the following and click 'Yes'.
I consent to participation in the Space to Grow: The Faulkes Telescope and improving science engagement in schools research project.
I understand that I am free to withdraw my participation in the research at any time.
The purpose of the research has been explained to me.
I understand that any information or personal details gathered in the course of this research about me are confidential and that neither my name nor any other identifying information will be used or published without my written permission.
The Charles Sturt University Ethics in Human Research Committee has approved this study.
I understand that if I have any complaints or concerns about this research I can contact:
Executive Officer
Ethics in Human Research Committee
Charles Sturt University
Private Bag 99
BATHURST NSW 2795
(02) 6338 4628