- Nominations open for 2020 Governor's School STEM Awards, with prizes up to $2,000 for schools that demonstrate outstanding leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
- Competition follows launch of State Government's Take 2 STEM campaign earlier this month, informing students and parents about the importance of STEM skills
- The awards and the campaign are designed to increase participation in STEM subjects at school or TAFE to ensure young Western Australians are ready for future jobs
Schools across the State are invited to apply for the 2020 Governor's School STEM Awards that showcase great teaching and learning in the field, and the value of STEM education.
The awards are part of the State STEM skills strategy, ‘Future Jobs, Future Skills,' to boost STEM participation in Western Australian schools, with winning schools serving as role models of best practice in STEM education.
The opening of the 2020 awards follows the launch earlier this month of the State Government's new Take 2 STEM campaign to increase the number of students studying STEM subjects at school or TAFE, and ensure young Western Australians are ready for the jobs of the future.
The campaign builds on a number of existing STEM investments, including $17 million to boost science teaching in primary schools and $1.962 million to deliver STEM professional learning and mentoring to priority public schools.
Prizes for both primary and secondary school categories of the awards include:
- $2,000 for the Leadership Excellence Award (winner);
- $1,000 for the Meritorious Leadership Awards (runner-up); and
- an excursion to Scitech for up to 90 students or DIY science kit for an entire term of lessons.
Finalists will be announced in September and award winners in November 2020.
For more information about the awards, visit https://www.scitech.org.au/educators/governor-school-stem-awards/
To learn about the Take 2 STEM campaign, visit http://www.take2stem.com
As stated by Science Minister Dave Kelly:
"I would love to see as many schools as possible working on STEM lessons that inspire their students to learn these crucial subjects and put themselves in the running for the awards.
"The State Government has made STEM skills education and training a priority with the Take 2 STEM campaign and our other STEM education programs and this is the perfect time to get involved.
"STEM provides an excellent framework to develop the skills young people need for the next generation of jobs and give themselves the edge in the future workforce."
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"Strong STEM leadership is about instilling curiosity and encouraging young people to understand how the world works. These are valuable skills for students, no matter where they go in life.
"Educators hold the key to brighter STEM-enabled futures for Western Australians, and I look forward to seeing the range of schools that will apply this year."
As stated by the Hon. Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia:
"I am very proud to be associated with the school STEM Awards, with the pivotal role STEM subjects play in ensuring our young people are equipped for the jobs of the future.
"These awards were an initiative of my predecessor, the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC. I encourage as many schools as possible to enter the awards and be part of this exciting campaign."
Education and Training Minister's office - 6552 5700
