Partnering to Deliver Victoria’s Inspiring Australia Program
The Royal Society of Victoria will receive $275,000 in 2018 to connect Victorians across the state with science.
Acting Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said science engagement is important to connect the community with science and to inspire young Australians to develop interests and skills that will support them in their pathways to future work.
“I am delighted to welcome Victoria as a valued partner in the Inspiring Australia initiative, which coordinates science engagement nationwide and is helping to unlock the full benefits of our nation’s scientific endeavour and enterprise.” – Acting Federal Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash.
The RSV is delighted to be partnering with the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments to deliver a new Inspiring Australia program, engaging our state’s communities in the excitement and opportunities of advances in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The partnership will connect everyday Victorians with STEM by demonstrating how these skills improve our knowledge of the world around us, inform better decision making, business efficiency and solve some of our greatest everyday challenges in local, national and global contexts. Program development and delivery will foster collaborations with science-focused organisations to connect Victorians with cutting-edge technologies and methodologies.
“We’re excited to bring together talented people and strong community programs to share the excitement of scientific discovery and help develop STEM skills within Victoria.” – Mr David Zerman, President of the Royal Society of Victoria.
Chaired by Victoria’s Lead Scientist, Dr Amanda Caples, the Victorian Inspiring Australia program will bring together organisations concerned with STEM engagement, citizen science, education and pathways to industry and higher education. The Victorian Government and the RSV have resourced the Victorian program with a new Inspiring Australia Manager and two Officers to support the state’s efforts and events across Victoria in August 2018.
“We want all Victorians getting involved in STEM to ensure they have the skills needed for the jobs that will support our future economy.” – Victoria’s Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy, the Hon Philip Dalidakis MP.
Victoria’s Inspiring Australia Program complements the Victorian Government’s remarkable $128 million Tech Schools initiative to establish 10 state-of-the art Tech Schools across the state, delivering the advanced education and training that Victorian school students will need to flourish in the rapidly changing global economy.
“Our kids need to be prepared for the jobs of the future and that is why we are making these significant investments in our Tech School program,” – Victorian Minister for Education, the Hon James Merlino MP.
The Whittlesea, Ballarat and Monash Tech Schools are the inaugural partners for the Victorian Inspiring Australia program and will help convene the pilot “Science and Innovation Hubs” for local communities to convene and engage with key scientific discoveries, issues and emerging skills, such as new health technologies and advanced manufacturing. A program of annual talks, forums, industry and careers nights, citizen science activities, kids’ science clubs and Science Week events are all within scope at each Hub.
The Inspiring Australia and National Science Week programs are proudly hosted by the Royal Society of Victoria in 2018, supported through $225 thousand in program funding through the Commonwealth Department of Innovation, Industry and Science, and a $50 thousand staffing grant from the Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. The work of the new Victorian Inspiring Australia Board begins this week, and the program will be underway by February – we will share plans, grant programs and other initiatives as they develop.
