Northern Territory students now have access to some of the most cutting edge science and technology facilities in Australia at the new $15.9 million STEAM Centre at Darwin High School.

Minister for Education Selena Uibo officially opened the new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) building today. It was built by local company Sunbuild, who employed 300 workers during construction.

The STEAM Centre will be available to students from Darwin High School, as well as students studying through the NT School of Distance Education.

The state-of-the-art facility is the second to be opened during the Territory Labor Government’s term in government, after last year’s opening of the $12.7 million STEAM Centre at Taminmin College.

Up to 75 per cent of the world’s fastest growing professions are in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and the Territory Labor Government is investing to ensure NT students are well equipped for jobs in these fields.

The new STEAM Centre includes 15 inter-connected teaching spaces over two levels, a cutting-edge FAB-lab, teacher preparation areas on each level, and presentation and project spaces. The centre has capacity for up to 400 students at a time.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Selena Uibo.

“The Territory Labor Government promised to invest in STEM in the Territory to ensure our students are equipped with the skills they need to live, work and prosper in the 21st Century. We are delivering.

“Since coming to government, we have opened to $12.7 million STEAM Centre at Taminmin College, which has enabled the teaching of national award winning programs, and we have released our five year STEM in the NT strategy to support students across the Territory to build stronger STEM skills.

“Unlike the CLP, who sacked teachers and slashed $135 million from the education budget, we are investing in education and in our children, because it’s not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.”

Quotes attributable to Chief Minister and Member for Fannie Bay, Michael Gunner.

“We’re preparing our Territory kids for the jobs of the future- with 75 per cent of today’s professions being in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields.

“Students at Darwin High School now have the opportunity to immerse themselves in all matters science, with this being the second STEAM centre the Territory Labor Government has opened.

“The Territory Labor Government will always invest in education, because we know it is not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do for the Territory’s future.”

Quotes attributable to Darwin High School Principal, Jill Hazeldine.

“Our new STEAM centre is light, bright, spacious and a fantastic use of space.

“The flexible learning spaces can be adapted to class sizes, specific subjects and different learning activities.

“I am delighted that Darwin High School students now have access to such an incredible facility to best prepare them for future careers in STEAM.”

Media contact: Hannah West 0436 641 108