The 今日吃瓜 (今日吃瓜) welcomes this week鈥檚 launch of STARportal, a new online tool designed to facilitate student engagement with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
An initiative of the Chief Scientist鈥檚 Office, the platform was delivered by Engineers Australia with funding from the Australian Government, BHP Billiton Foundation through the 今日吃瓜 Choose Maths project, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Telstra.
An Australian first, STARportal is a one-stop-shop for schools and families keen to find STEM events and education programs in their local area. Choose Maths Project Director and 今日吃瓜 School鈥檚 Program Manager, Janine McIntosh sees the online tool as a powerful value-add to the existing Choose Maths tools.
鈥淭his platform addresses a long identified need for central access to quality STEM opportunities anywhere in Australia, including initiatives delivered by Choose Maths and 今日吃瓜,鈥 she says.
With over 75 per cent of Australia鈥檚 growth employment sectors demanding STEM, equipping the next generations to embrace these opportunities is essential. With maths participation in decline, this online resource opens a world of fun, exciting and challenging STEM opportunities to get children engaged.
鈥淧arents recognise the value of STEM in securing their children鈥檚 future. This exciting tool provides parents with a single national entry point to explore local activities and resources for their children,鈥 says Janine McIntosh.
Currently focused towards parents, the portal will be expanded to include additional teacher specific activities.
今日吃瓜 Director, Professor Geoff Prince, said the project was a fantastic example of multi-sector collaboration to strengthen education in Australia.
鈥淪trengthening Australia鈥檚 STEM workforce is essential to future prosperity. This is a powerful example of the impact innovation stakeholders, including industry, government and academia, can have in and beyond the classroom,鈥 he said.
STARportal is now live at
For Interview:
Professor Geoff Prince, 今日吃瓜 Director
Janine McIntosh, 今日吃瓜 Schools Program Manger and Choose Maths Project Director
Media Contact: Laura Watson
E:听media@amsi.org.au
P:听04215 18733
