The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) welcomes this week’s 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’s Office, the platform was delivered by Engineers Australia with funding from the Australian Government, BHP Billiton Foundation through the AMSI 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 AMSI School’s Program Manager, Janine McIntosh sees the online tool as a powerful value-add to the existing Choose Maths tools.
“This platform addresses a long identified need for central access to quality STEM opportunities anywhere in Australia, including initiatives delivered by Choose Maths and AMSI,” she says.
With over 75 per cent of Australia’s 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.
“Parents recognise the value of STEM in securing their children’s future. This exciting tool provides parents with a single national entry point to explore local activities and resources for their children,” says Janine McIntosh.
Currently focused towards parents, the portal will be expanded to include additional teacher specific activities.
AMSI Director, Professor Geoff Prince, said the project was a fantastic example of multi-sector collaboration to strengthen education in Australia.
“Strengthening Australia’s 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,” he said.
STARportal is now live at www.starportal.edu.au
For Interview:
Professor Geoff Prince, AMSI Director
Janine McIntosh, AMSI Schools Program Manger and Choose Maths Project Director
Media Contact: Laura Watson
E: media@amsi.org.au
P: 04215 18733
