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Diploma
in Education + Degree in Science
Supporting Kids & Adults
Marian
Haire
The
highlight of this day for me was it was the first day of a
2 week holiday in the South island of New Zealand. I was about
to get a break from my job as Training Manager at
the National Measurement Institute.
I love my job but was overdue for a break. For holiday reading,
I took along Bill Bryson’s book called A Short History
of Nearly Everything. I was blown away by the way he
introduces topics and agree with the comment that it should
be a school text book. Bill asks the real questions kids want
to ask about science and skilfully weaves the facts into his
story.
New Zealand is a land created by glaciers, earthquakes and
other erosion. I found myself asking lots of questions about
how the incredibly beautiful and diverse landscape was formed.
I was camping out and avoiding built up areas, so I had lots
of time to think about this. Further research is required
to get the answers.
I was puzzled about why New Zealand looks so different from
Australia. The flora and fauna appear quite different, yet
they are so close so you might expect they were once attached.
Not true I am told.
My current job requires me to work with scientists
in a support role organising the training courses they present.
The scientists I work with maintain Australia’s standards
of measurement, and they represent Australia at many international
meetings and conferences. They present training courses for
industry to ensure Australia is competitive and is using measurement
as a tool to their best advantage.
The people who attend our training courses make chemistry,
electrical, pressure, radiometry, time and frequency, mass
and temperature measurements, which all have an impact on
the services or products they provide to the community.
You can learn more about the National Measurement Institute
by visiting www.nmi.gov.au
You will be surprised by the breath of activity carried on
by this organisation.
(Training Course)
While in high school, I was interested in
all the usual activities that interest teenagers. Free time
and interacting with my peers was probably my favourite activity.
I was lucky enough to have attended a school that allowed
girls to study mathematics, physics, chemistry, maths, and
physics for matriculation. This was unusual in the 60s in
Ireland. I found these subjects far easier. I really enjoyed
solving problems and getting the right answer.
Good matriculation results in these subjects led me to a science
degree and later to a diploma in education. I was set for
a career in teaching. My basic science degree
has been very useful as without it I could not do my job today.
Along the way, I worked for Bell Canada, taught science in
schools, wrote science text books, and managed a major science
competition for school students. It was my pleasure to take
a team of Australian students to an International competition
in the states for 7 years.
I hope I never give up learning or asking why. The question
is as important as the answer.
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