The Rotary Clubs of Port Macquarie and Westport have joined forces as they recognise the importance of STEM education and workforce development for the region's youth.
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Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics is the future, and this partnership will champion a national effort in our schools to attract more girls, Aboriginal students and any student who has not considered STEM as a future career pathway.
STEM education is vital to the futures of the youth community. No matter what field of endeavour is chosen by our youth, knowledge of STEM basics, and the environment to learn is essential for their future.
STEM careers help to build communities and transform nations. These professionals are in charge of solving complex problems of today's world hunger, disappearing habitats and an interdependent world economy.
The focus for both clubs is the implementation of STEM Hubs at Hastings Secondary College campuses which allows students from Year 7-12 to experience interactive STEM sessions in the school environment.
"We are excited about the partnership with Hastings Secondary College and look forward to further developing STEM programs and provision of equipment for the campuses," Diana Gammon, youth director for Port Macquarie Rotary said.
"Funding for STEM projects will be developed by the clubs which will come from various grant opportunities."
Mr Willem Holvast, executive principal Hastings Secondary College, said widespread improvement of student outcomes in STEM cannot be achieved through a single intervention.
"It will require a strategic combination of approaches, each carefully evaluated of which community partnerships is key," he said.
Hastings Secondary College's focus is to ensure equity of access to STEM for all students includes offering opportunities and encouraging those students who wish to specialise in STEM.
"We need to ensure that College students are focused on attaining the high levels of mathematics and science skills and knowledge that are necessary to participate in the modern workforce," Mr Holvast said.
Ongoing, the clubs will focus on an education fund to ensure that all students at Hastings Secondary College, regardless of their economic means, have the opportunity to participate in and take full advantage of the equipment in STEM programs run by the campuses.
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