Aussie school kids will learn to build Lego robots, write code, monitor the endangered Murray Cod and travel across Australia and the world off the back of $1.6 million in funding from the Albanese government. 

Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic announced the Sponsorship Grants for Student Science Engagement and International Competitions 2024 outcomes today while visiting Clifton Hills Primary school in Kelmscott, Western Australia yesterday.

Clifton Hills Primary School has received a grant to support 20 students to participate in the first Lego League regional tournament, where they will design and build a Lego robot. They will also learn to write the code that will enable the robot to complete missions.

132 grants between $1,500 and $15,000 are being awarded to schools across Australia to enable students - who might not otherwise have had the opportunity - to engage in cutting edge science. 

Projects supported this year will support and encourage Australian students to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the future.

Other successful applicants include:

• Students from Brookman Primary School in Western Australia will participate in weekly First Lego League and Robotics workshops under the guidance of an experienced teacher coordinator.
   
• Students from Chancellor State College in Queensland will take part in the FIRST Tech Challenge engineering and robotics competition, with students working in teams to design and produce a competitive robot and build their skills in engineering and coding.
   
• Students from Pembroke School in South Australia will work alongside industry partners on a citizen science project to monitor Murray Cod, using technology developed by AusOcean. Students will be responsible for assembling a floating rig and programming an underwater camera as part of the project.
   
• Students from Townsville High School in Queensland will attend in the inaugural Youth to Action STEM Conference 2024, in Vanuatu. This will be the culmination of the Youth to Action STEM program where students present their research and collaborate on long-term scientific projects based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals alongside other international and Australian attendees.
   
• Students from the Nature School in New South Wales will visit Lord Howe Island to participate in a four-night Biology, Geology and Conservation event. Students will experience a unique opportunity to learn and experience an island World Heritage Area and Marine Park and its bio-diverse flora, fauna, and marine life with local experts.

The Sponsorship Grants 2024 is an initiative delivered under the Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Program.

For more information, visit: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/sponsorship-grants-for-student-science-engagement-and-international-competitions-2024

Quotes attributable to the Hon. Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science:

“We want Aussie school kids to embrace science.

“High School chemistry students will get out of the classroom and into the lab at local universities as part of this program.

“Students will learn skills in engineering and coding that are the building blocks of everything from robots to rovers.

“We expect these science projects to build teamwork, encourage problem solving and teach kids more about the power of science.

“A future made in Australia will also be made by our future scientists.”