CLAYTON View, Middle Swan, Sawyers Valley, Swan View, Woodlupine and Avonvale primary schools have been announced in the first round of 100 public primary schools selected to have existing classrooms converted into science laboratories.
The State Government’s $17 million election commitment includes $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 said each school had identified an area to be transformed into a science laboratory.
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READ NOWIn 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.
Half of the allocated schools are from low socio-economic areas where students are often disadvantaged by not having access to science facilities.
“It is vital for today’s students to understand the concepts taught in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for their future job prospects,” she said.
“We want to ignite an interest in science in WA children from a young age so they continue with that study in secondary school and are job-ready when they start to enter the workforce in the late 2020s or early 2030s.
“Even those students who don’t become science practitioners will benefit from the generic skills science subjects teach them – teamwork, problem solving, creativity, independent thinking, critical analysis, initiative and communication.”
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