THE old planetarium at the Discovery Centre is set to be converted into a lab space where children can learn about science.<\/p>\n
As part of the project, the centre received $20,000 from the Federal Government through round eight of the Stronger Communities Program.<\/p>\n
General manager at Discovery, Alissa Van Soest, said the funding will go towards creating a space where children can undertake experiments, with works to focus on accessibility through improvements to the floors, lighting, and walls.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re so excited to become a more accessible and flexible space, we want to be more inclusive here,\u201d said Ms Van Soest.<\/p>\n
\u201cSTEM is for all, and we want to make it feel that way.<\/p>\n
\u201cKnowing that we\u2019ve got a space that\u2019s more comfortable and functional for people of all abilities to come and enjoy science is great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, said recipients were selected by a local committee.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery application is judged on its merits,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere really is a shortfall in funding available to our community groups for small capital works projects just like this one.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Discovery Centre is really popular with primary school-aged children, and they will now have their own space within the Discovery Centre to gather and learn.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlissa\u2019s vision for this place is just beautiful and it\u2019s great to see it come alive bit-by-bit, project-by-project.<\/p>\n
\u201cSTEM is critical, and encouraging boys and girls to engage in STEM at a very young age is critical, and we are so fortunate in Great Bendigo to have our own Discovery Centre to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
In May this year, staff at the Discovery Centre cut the ribbon on the facility\u2019s new planetarium which was funded in part from a $250,000 State Government grant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE old planetarium at the Discovery Centre is set to be converted into a lab space where children can learn about science. As part of the project, the centre received $20,000 from the Federal Government through round eight of the Stronger Communities Program. General manager at Discovery, Alissa Van Soest, said the funding will go […]<\/p>\n