Modern facilities, offering Casuarina Senior College students access to cutting-edge technology learning, will be ready for students when they return to school after the summer holidays.
The Territory Labor Government has invested around $2.26 million toward facilities to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education at the school.
The works follow other recent investments in STEAM learning such as the $15.9 million science centre at Darwin High School and the $12.7 million facility at Taminmin College.
Finishing touches are currently being added to new learning areas of the first stage of the project which includes a fab lab featuring a digital printer and laser cutting machine, computer rooms, makerspace and a workshop.
Darwin construction company Maxcon, was awarded $1.36 million to renovate the centre that will support the delivery of a contemporary, cross-disciplinary approach to teaching and learning in STEM-related fields.
Flexible learning spaces have been designed to maximise opportunities for various activities and student groups while the existing technology studies building also received improvements to create a more streamlined and comfortable working environment.
Maxcon has also been awarded the second stage of upgrades, worth $900,000.
The upgrade will include an additional general learning area, refurbishment of the woodworking area, a teacher’s preparation area, and staff room with works on track to be completed by the beginning of the second term next year.
In an exciting development for the school, Maxcon has signed up one of the students as a school-based apprentice. The Year 11 student has been working on the construction site with the Maxcon team as well continuing his studies.
The STEM centre augments other recent investments at Casuarina Senior College including a $940,000 library upgrade – jointly funded by the Territory Labor Government’s Building Better Schools initiative, the College and other NTG-funded programs – and a $200,000 rooftop solar project.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Lauren Moss:
“The Territory Labor Government is delivering on our promise to invest in well equipped, contemporary facilities to prepare our young people for future opportunities in STEM-related careers and study.
“STEM education arms students with the ability to become critical, creative thinkers with the problem-solving skills that will prepare them for our increasingly digital future.
“This state of art facility will inspire students to enrol in STEM subjects by making learning contemporary and fun and will set them on the path to becoming lifelong learners.”
Quotes attributable to Casuarina Senior College Principal Glenn Dixon:
“Access to the new STEM space will allow us to teach and learn in a more innovative and engaging way across all curriculum areas.
“This dedicated facility allows Casuarina Senior College to continue to grow its Pathways in Technology program with strengthened connections and development with our industry partners.
“The different areas – computer technology, fab lab, makerspace and light industrial spaces – allow a wide range of flexibility for use in all curriculum areas, providing the key to educating a new generation workforce, capable of dealing with complex issues and challenges.”
