Top scientist warns schools at risk of losing physics as more students drop out

Students are being pressured to drop out of physics because schools fear low ATAR scores, putting the subject at risk of being phased out entirely, a top astrophysicist warns.

Physics is at risk of becoming extinct at high schools because students are being pressured to drop out to prevent low ATAR scores, one of Australia’s top expert astrophysicists warns.

Swinburne University Professor Matthew Bailes, who on Tuesday won the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science, said Australia cannot afford the delays if physics is only studied at universities.

“We have a lot of students dropping out of advanced maths and physics,” Professor Bailes told the Herald Sun.

“Schools are terrified of getting bad marks in subjects, so some of them encourage students who are struggling to swap out … and do something so-called easier. But this is actually restricting their opportunities later in life.

“There’s a real danger that physics could become extinct at high school, and have to be something we do at the universities with bridging courses.

“That’s a delay in the development of our young people, which we can’t really afford as a nation.”

Swinburne University Professor Matthew Bailes says there needs to be a review of how students and schools are judged on performance.

He said there needed to be a review of how students’ and schools’ performances were judged.

Professor Bailes said he was “thrilled” to receive the award for his world-first discovery of fast radio bursts – set to transform our understanding of the universe by helping to determine how much normal matter exists – and leading Australian astronomy research centres.

“If you told me as a child that one day I would receive a prize from the Prime Minister, I don’t think I would’ve believed you,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation went to Victorians Professor Andrew Wilks and Dr Chris Burns for their lifesaving treatment for blood cancer.

The pair invented and commercialised a drug called momelotinib, named after Melbourne, that is used to treat myelofibrosis, a rare bone marrow cancer.

The drug is now reducing side effects and extending people’s lives for more than 10 years after diagnosis.

Dr Burns said he hoped it would be approved in Australia soon, with the drug now available in the US, Europe, UK and Japan.

Professor Wilks said it showed that with some investment, leading Australian research could be transformed into therapeutic drugs to improve human health.

Other recipients were awarded for research into children’s anaesthesia, work in renewable energy, and for their work as teachers.

“Australia has world-class scientists, researchers and teachers,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

“This year’s winners show just how bright the future is for Australian science.”