Research that shows the importance of introducing STEM subjects to the Primary years was the catalyst behind the establishment of the Junior School STEM Room.
Made possible by the generous donations by the Old Collegians’ Association, the STEM Room aims to introduce all students, from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6, to a love of Science and Mathematics.
Head of Junior School, Richard Wright, said a University of Queensland and Australian Gender Equality Council research paper found people who entered STEM-related careers, had already formed their love of STEM before they entered secondary school.
“The creation of a STEM Room will bring greater focus on this area to the entire community – students, parents, staff, and Old Collegians,” Mr Wright said.
“The STEM Room will prove the students and staff a place to expand and investigate their STEM skills and build confidence in this area. This space will provide an environment to conduct science experiments, investigate scientifically, design, build, and appraise in a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary way.”
OCA President, Jessamy Mahony said, the Association was thrilled to support such an important and worthwhile project. The room has been custom-designed with desks to accommodate girls of all ages as well as spaces to stimulate curious minds.
The room was officially opened on Friday 6 November as part of the Junior School’s Festival of Science. A special video message was played to the students from Old Collegian, Dr Megan Clark AC (1975), who is currently the Head of the Australian Space Agency.
Dr Clark said she was thrilled that the girls were interested in Science and Maths, “Maths is a bit like Music and Poetry,” Dr Clark said. “It’s really hard at first, but when you work it out, it’s really amazing. Science lets you dream large and lets you dream of living off our planet and of discovering signs of life on Mars.”
She told the girls to dream big and stay curious.
The OCA has made financial donations of varied sizes to PLC for many decades. From an annual Junior School Library fund in the 1950s and 60s, to scholarships and bursary funds since the 1950s, Science Room upgrades, and other School equipment in the 1970s and 80s, to ongoing contributions to the School’s building projects. Most recently, the OCA has made contributions to the School’s building projects, including the Year 12 Common Room and the purchase of the Quad Rowing Boat.
Thanks to the OCA’s ongoing fundraising activities, which have been so well supported by all in the PLC community, the OCA has been able to give annual bursaries, as well as make other financial donations, to PLC for generations.
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