Robotics and coding, water pollution, accuracy in sports science and engineered mousetraps are some of the diverse subjects investigated by students during Hallett Cove School’s inaugural STEM Week.
The Federal Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham joined local Liberal MP and state Shadow Minister for the Environment David Speirs, students, teachers, parents and community members touring the school and visiting the innovative exhibits produced during an entire week of learning dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
“Hallett Cove is a leader in promoting STEM education and should be proud of the achievements of their students and teachers,” Minister Birmingham said.
“As Federal Education and Training Minister I get to see firsthand how the country’s schools are encouraging students to get interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Hallett Cove School is at the forefront with initiatives like their STEM Week.
“We want to support Hallett Cove School’s students and teachers to build on the success of programs like STEM Week.
“The new funding system we’re delivering will see each federal support for each student at Hallett Cove School rise to $2,532 on average next year and to $3,126 on average per student by 2021.
get an additional $180 on average next year and by 2021 it’ll be around $774 extra each year. We’re also working with David Gonski and a panel of leading education and policy experts to focus on how schools should be using the extra funding we’re delivering, such as programs like the STEM Week activities we’ve seen at Hallett Cove today.
“It’s initiatives like STEM Week that the Turnbull Government also supports with our $64 million commitment through the National Innovation and Science Agenda for early childhood and school-level STEM programs.
“All schools who share the same passion for STEM as Hallett Cove should apply for the Turnbull Government’s Digital Literacy Grants or our STEM Professionals in School program at www.education.gov.au.”
State Liberal Member for Bright and Shadow Environment Minister David Speirs said he had been impressed by the enthusiasm for STEM from Hallett Cove School’s students.
“We were blown away by how excited about STEM Hallett Cove School’s students are. STEM subjects are key skills that set students up for life after school,” Mr Speirs said.
“I also applaud Hallett Cove School for their work with local businesses to help students build connections between what they are learning in their classrooms and practical applications in the workplace.
“The State Liberals know how important strong literacy and numeracy skills are in STEM subjects which is why our Literacy Guarantee policy includes literacy coaches, specific support for students with dyslexia and phonics checks for all Year Ones. With strong literacy and numeracy skills, I’m confident that we’ll see more students get excited about STEM and for Hallett Cove School to set a leading example across South Australia.
“After 15 years of state Labor Government overseeing declining results in South Australian schools, how can Jay Weatherill expect students to be able to take advantage of STEM opportunities unless they have the right literacy and numeracy skills?”