• Applications open today for Governor's School STEM awards
• Winning schools exemplify the ethos of the WA Government's STEM skills strategy
• Increasing STEM education in WA will help drive the economy and equip kids for the jobs of the future

Western Australian primary and secondary schools are encouraged to apply for the 2019 Governor's School STEM Awards which recognise outstanding whole-of-school STEM education.

The awards support the McGowan Government's goal of increasing STEM participation in WA schools and encourages schools to integrate STEM across the curriculum. In particular, the awards recognise school leadership and student engagement in STEM education.

The McGowan Government recently released WA's first-ever State STEM skills strategy, Future Jobs, Future Skills: driving STEM skills in Western Australia, which aims to ensure Western Australians have STEM skills for jobs of the future.

Awards and prizes for primary and secondary schools in 2019 include:

• The Leadership Excellence Award (winner);
• The Meritorious Leadership Award (runner-up);
• An invitation for staff members and students to visit Government House; and
• A Scitech visit for up to 90 students for metropolitan schools or free rental and delivery of a DIY Science Kit for eight weeks.

Finalists will be announced in September and invited to an awards ceremony at Government House later in the year, where winners will be announced by the Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia.

For more information, visit http://www.scitech.org.au

Comments attributed to Science Minister Dave Kelly:

"STEM skills are the foundation of Western Australia's future workforce, and our schools play an important role in cultivating students' interest and abilities in STEM skills.

"The State Government launched the State's first-ever STEM skills strategy in May this year to reinforce the importance of schools across all systems and sectors providing quality STEM education programs for students.

"Winning schools in this year's awards will serve as role models for STEM education in WA."

Comments attributed to Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:

"Our aim is to increase the percentage of Year 12 students studying two or more STEM courses to 85 per cent by 2024.

"The Governor's School STEM Awards encourage both primary and secondary schools to engage students to develop interest and skills in STEM across the curriculum."

Comments attributed to the Hon. Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia:

"It is a privilege to support the Governor's School STEM Awards again in 2019.

"I look forward to hearing about the work taking place in schools throughout the State to support students' problem solving skills and their enthusiasm for working in STEM fields."

Science Minister's office - 6552 6100

Education and Training Minister's office - 6552 5700