IGS tech centre build next gen entrepreneurs

Queensland’s next generation of science and technology entrepreneurs are being ‘incubated’ at Ipswich Grammar, thanks to a $10.5 million cutting edge facility officially opened today.

Education Minister Grace Grace today joined local Member for Ipswich Jen Howard MP and school officials to celebrate the opening of a new science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) centre.

“Young Queenslanders need STEM skills and knowledge to succeed in our fast-changing global economy,” Ms Grace said.

“The Government is investing strongly in advancing STEM skills in our schools, because 90 per cent of our current students will work in jobs that require STEM knowledge. 

“That’s why it is so important to build facilities like these which can incubate the next generation of STEM entrepreneurs and nourish their potential.

“It’s great to see a school with a proud history of 158 years of education embracing the future to meet the learning needs of its students.”

Ms Grace said the Government had contributed more than $740,000 to the STEM Centre - part of the $9.5 million the State had invested in Ipswich Grammar over the past five years.

The new three-storey building includes a 155-seat lecture theatre, laboratories and learning spaces for the school’s 1000-plus students from Prep to Year 12.

Ipswich Grammar School Headmaster Richard Morrison said the school welcomed the opportunity to partner with the State Government to build the new STEM facility.

“It’s a wonderful new building that will help our boys reach their STEM education goals,” Mr Morrison said.

“It’s a beautiful modern facility that fits in so well with the rest of our school.

“We thank the State Government for its generous contribution to this important project.”

Ms Grace said the State Government invested in the future of all Queensland schools to helping to deliver the facilities students need, no matter where they went to school.

The State Government is investing $850 million this financial year in non-government schools to support their operations and for capital projects.

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