According to the announcement
made by the Government of Western Australia, a funding commitment spanning 3
years will be given to the Scitech Discovery Centre in recognition for its
significant role in promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics,
especially in young people.
A$25.8 million in over three years will be
provided by the McGowan Government for the Scitech Discovery Centre in West Perth
as announced by Science
and Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly.
The significant role of the centre in
promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), especially
in young people, is being recognised by this funding commitment.
The funding agreement will span for three
years with Scitech being able to receive a$8.6 million per year from the
Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
Scitech opened in 1988. It has been funded
by the State Government since its establishment by former Deputy Premier, the
late Mal Bryce.
Scitech is able to widen its reach through
its activities and programs. The Scitech Discovery Centre at City West is where
most of the activities are held. Scitech is able to deliver regionally by
outreach programs for regional and remote schools. For national and
international reach, exhibition rentals are provided by SciTech.
More than 500,000 Western Australians are
engaged by the exhibitions, regional tours and teacher development programs by
Scitech. Add to that hundreds of thousands more who are engaged by Scitech’s
web and social media platforms.
The McGowan Government is committed to
promoting and enhancing STEM education through a range of initiatives to
prepare Western Australians for future WA jobs.
One such initiative is a A$17 million
funding for science programs in up to 200 public primary schools, which makes
coding a part of the school curriculum. Another initiative is more than $3.3
million in new funding to kick-start WA's STEM skills strategy and drive WA's
future jobs and school science grants.
Science and Innovation and ICT Minister
Dave Kelly said, "STEM education is vital for WA's future and Scitech
plays a key role in encouraging and inspiring young people to take up STEM in
school.”
He added, “I applaud Scitech for their
valued contribution to the community, especially in the area of STEM skills for
young people.”
He furthered, “The McGowan Government is
committed to supporting educational opportunities and STEM learning for all
Western Australians to put them in the best possible place to take up the jobs
of the future.”
An earlier
announcement highlighted the goals and pillars of Western Australia’s first
ever State STEM skills strategy initiated by the McGowan Government to drive
WA’s future jobs and future skills. The funding for this project will be used
for the professional development of more than 1,000 teachers in the lower
socioeconomic public schools over the next 4 years as well as fund for STEM
communication, mentoring programs and digital and technology programs.