The first round of 100 public primary schools has been selected to have existing classrooms converted into science laboratories to prepare student for jobs of the future.
The WA Government’s $17 million election commitment included $12 million to transform 200 existing primary school classrooms into science laboratories by 2021, with an additional $5 million for resources.
Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery announced the successful schools today at Connolly Primary School, one of the primary schools selected in the first round.
Each school has identified an area to be transformed into a science laboratory from the $12 million investment.
In addition, each school will receive $25,000 from the $5 million allocation, to purchase laboratory equipment and resources such as 3D models of the solar system and human anatomy, digital microscopes, 3D printers, virtual reality headsets, robotics kits and renewable energy kits.
Primary schools across Western Australia – from the Kimberley to the Great Southern – put up their hands for the program. Schools were selected based on their plans to grow and improve science education at their schools to skill students for the jobs of the future.
Half of the allocated schools are from low socio-economic areas where students are often disadvantaged by not having access to science facilities.