NSW Government provides $800,000 to inspire the next generation of natural hazards scientists
The NSW Government is supporting the development of new courses on bushfire management and urban heat islands for NSW primary and high school students.
NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant Whyte said the $800,000 Natural Hazards STEM Support Program aimed to enhance STEM skills for NSW K-12 students, with programs that focus on the technologies directly relevant to the management of and response to natural hazards.
“The Natural Hazards STEM Support Program was created to inspire our students to become the next generation of innovators and technologists, prepare them for natural hazards management, and build community resilience and awareness,” said Professor Durrant-Whyte.
The successful funding recipients were announced at the 11th Annual STEM Education Conference at Darling Harbour Sydney on Wednesday 31 July. The recipients are:
Project 1: UNSW Sydney
Fresh AIR Innovators
The Fresh AIR Innovators program enhances STEM education for upper-level primary students in NSW, focusing on critical technologies for bushfire management and indoor air quality. The four-week curriculum offers students hands-on experience with renewable energy solutions and traditional Indigenous practices. The program, leveraging the partnership between UNSW Sydney and the NSW Department of Education, aims to bridge theoretical learning and practical application, motivate young technologists, and strengthen community resilience.
Project 2: Powerhouse
The Greater Sydney Heatwave Resilience and Adaptation Project
Aimed at Year 9 and 10 students, this long-term interdisciplinary program addresses heatwaves and the Urban Heat Island Effect, designed in collaboration with leading researchers, creatives and educators. The project facilitates student-developed community projects on heatwave adaptation and practical experiences with technology. The program will involve teachers and students and their communities, using real-world problem-solving to enhance resource quality and build community resilience.
Both projects support and align with the NSW Department of Education Curriculum’s STEM education strategy.
Further information can be found at the Natural Hazards STEM Support Program webpage.
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Bruce Ritchie | OCSE | 0429 412 426