By Danielle Kutchel
Students at Emerald Secondary College could soon be able to immerse themselves more deeply in their STEM studies, if Labor wins the upcoming Federal election.
Labor candidate for La Trobe, Simon Curtis, a teacher by trade, was back in the school gates this week to announce $50,000 in funding for an outdoor science classroom at the school. He was accompanied by Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong.
Should Mr Curtis win the seat in two weeks’ time, the garden beds and concrete walkway at the school will be transformed into a new learning space which would enhance the school’s science program, increase the profile of science amongst the student body and wider community, and allow them to be immersed in science during both their play and learning time.
“This funding will enable the many groups who visit the college, including primary school students and university professionals, the opportunity to use the outdoors as part of the science program and their research work,” Mr Curtis said.
“This outdoor learning area will assist to complement the STEM studies being undertaken in the classroom.”
The funding is being provided under a program Labor has created for one-off investments in small scale capital projects to support local public schools and improve learning environments for students.
“This will make a big difference to our science academy program, and will allow us to cater to the many different groups which come to visit our college” said College principal Jodie Doble.
