In 2023, the Genetic Support Network of Victoria (GSNV) was the proud recipient of the Healthy Trajectories seed funding to develop the pilot of a digital learning resource, The Science Within Us. Led by GSNV Project Lead, Hollie Feller The Science Within Us (SWU) is a revolutionary learning platform for Australian primary and secondary school students to learn and explore genomics and improve their health literacy in this space.  

Supported by co-lead investigator, Simone Darling from the Centre for Community Child Health at MCRI, the project: “A school-based program to build genetic literacy in students and teachers: A pilot to assess feasibility, acceptability and impact.”, involved the use and testing of the SWU platform for its efficacy as a learning tool in Victorian schools.  

As a curriculum-aligned digital resource, SWU promotes the exploration of genetics and genomics, and our diversity through engaging storytelling and real-world science.  

This free resource: 

• Supports interdisciplinary teaching in science, health and humanities 

• Builds understanding and inclusion  

• Opens STEM career pathways.  

By simply signing up to the platform, teachers and students are provided a series of online resources: 

▪ E-learning Units
▪ Teacher’s Guide
▪ Student Worksheet Booklet
▪ Student Activity Booklet 

With accessibility functions a core feature of the platform, the SWU mix modality approach provides interactive tools and explores real life case studies of genetic conditions using the lived experience of young people living with rare disease. During the funded pilot evaluation period, this form of teaching had noticeable effects on the students.

An anonymous teacher recalls: 

“It is starting to resonate, and I’ve not had that before…[ the students] are starting to observe and see connections with the real world.”

The Science Within Us demonstrated the success of a co-designed project. A panel of young people living with rare disease was formed, guiding the inclusive principles of the project. Project Lead, Hollie Feller, herself a parent of a child with rare disease, spearheaded the creation and inclusion of the panel enhancing the accessible and engaging education resource.  

Powerful human stories have no doubt contributed to the success of testing student’s connection with the resource. View the two-minute video featuring lived experience stories for a snapshot of the case studies included in the resource. 

Following positive responses, SWU has now been expanded to cover Years 5 – 12 nationwide and link with existing curriculum areas across science, health, humanities and personal development. 

Congratulations to all contributors of this project and to Project Lead, Hollie Feller for the delivery of a valuable education resource.

For more information about the free resource, visit thesciencewithinus.org.au