Authentic student-led inquiry and exposure to scientific research impact students’ science career choices. Given Australian students decline in STEM skills, knowledge of whether such programmes impact student learning is critical. This research examined the short-term impact of an authentic, hands-on research mentor programme on rural student’s science skills. Nine Year 10 students participated in a science academic research programme leading to scientific publications and students collecting of first-hand data from international experiments on a major world-wide health issue. The NSW Department of Education Year 10 VALID assessment scores of this intervention group were compared to a control group. Intervention students had significantly higher overall scores as well as significantly higher scores in 21st century skills. These results were supported by student’s self-assessment of their learning growth. Our study suggests authentic science research mentor programmes are pedagogically advantageous for Year 10 high achieving rural students. Educators’ willingness to embrace these innovative approaches has the potential to produce the next generation of scientists.

中文翻译：

---

一项基于澳大利亚的真实科学研究计划改变了农村高中生的 21 世纪学习方式

真实的以学生为主导的探究和接触科学研究会影响学生的科学职业选择。鉴于澳大利亚学生的 STEM 技能下降，了解此类课程是否影响学生学习至关重要。这项研究考察了真实的、动手的研究导师计划对农村学生科学技能的短期影响。9 名 10 年级学生参加了一项科学学术研究计划，该计划导致科学出版物和学生从有关重大全球健康问题的国际实验中收集第一手数据。将该干预组的新南威尔士州教育部 10 年级有效评估分数与对照组进行了比较。干预学生的总分明显更高，21 世纪技能的得分也明显更高。这些结果得到了学生对其学习成长的自我评估的支持。我们的研究表明，真正的科学研究导师计划对 10 年级成绩优异的农村学生在教学上是有利的。教育者接受这些创新方法的意愿有可能培养出下​​一代科学家。