$14 million science school

Work has begun on the South Australian state government's $14 million Australian Science and Maths School, which will reform science and maths teaching in Australia.

The Australian Science and Maths School is a joint venture between the state government and Flinders University and will provide world-class education in the areas of science, maths and technology.

Education Minister Malcolm Buckby says the school is the first in Australia to be fully integrated with a university, and will be open for the start of the 2003 school year.

"There has been a significant and well-documented decline in student enrolments in tertiary maths and science courses, but through the Australian Science and Maths School we will reform science and maths teaching and counter that trend," Mr Buckby says.

"Research has shown that students previously regarded science and maths courses as boring, difficult and lacking clear pathways to employment.

"However, through this new school students will be provided with a new vision of careers that involve maths, science and technology through strong school partnerships with industry."

Mr Buckby says the new school will cater for senior secondary students in Years 10, 11 and 12, offering the full school curriculum with a strong focus on science, maths and technology.