Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery visited West Greenwood Primary School today to view the school’s brand new science laboratory and provide an update on the innovative $17 million capital works project that is nearing completion.
Over the past two years, $12 million has been spent to transform 200 existing primary school classrooms into science laboratories. An additional $5 million has been allocated to schools to purchase resources.
Schools were selected based on their plans to grow and improve science education at their schools to skill students for jobs of the future.
West Greenwood Primary School has a great focus on fostering students’ interest in STEM subjects – with students participating in robotics, coding and using a range of the latest technologies.
More than 400 students are already learning in the new specialist science classroom and making use of the new resources.
The new science lab will enable the school’s specialist science program to expand and provide opportunities for exciting hands-on learning.
The school received $25,000 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.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
“I am proud to deliver a key election commitment of this Government to transform classrooms in primary schools to enhance education in science.
“We know that the jobs of the future are changing and it is essential to equip students with the highest quality education in science, technology, engineering and maths.
“We’ve transformed 200 classrooms across the State from Geraldton to Kalgoorlie, up north to Broome and down south to Albany.”
As stated by Kingsley MLA Jessica Stojkovski:
“It’s exciting to see such an innovative project reach near completion and to hear the stories of students – such as the ones at West Greenwood Primary School – participating in fantastic science lessons.
“These new learning spaces will inspire students and give staff the opportunity to promote creativity, innovation and prepare students for further education into their secondary schooling.”
