Construction is powering ahead on a $24.8 million cutting-edge STEM precinct and automotive training facility at Mabel Park State High School. The flagship project at Mabel Park State High will feature a STEM classroom block and an automotive training facility as part of one building. The programme is all about building and upgrading training facilities in schools across the state to prepare students with the skills to secure well-paid, secure jobs in their region, setting them up for the future.
The $3.96 million automotive facilities will allow students to explore the latest automotive technologies such as electronic scooters and solar-powered vehicles. The $20.8 million learning centre will include classrooms and labs to strengthen the school’s STEM curriculum.
The region’s Education Minister as well as the Waterford MP recently inspected progress and met with tradies working on the project. The Education Minister said that the new building would support a total of 66 local jobs, contributing to Queensland’s Economic Recovery Plan.
The government is focused on preparing students for the jobs of the future which is exactly what this new project will deliver. The automotive training component of the project would be a game-changer for students interested in a STEM career. Every young person deserves a world-class education and the chance to reach their full potential, which was why $45 million was committed to the Local Schools, Local Jobs program at the last election.
Waterford MP said the STEM building would also provide more skills for more jobs. The project is a much-needed boost for Mabel Park which has seen student numbers almost triple since 2016, she said. Mabel Park has already been recognised for its achievements in training with its nationally recognised health hub.
She added that it was fantastic to see these state-of-the-art facilities will continue to provide valuable hands-on, industry-relevant skills and training for Mabel Park’s students to get a job and have a successful career. The building was expected to be fully finished in March 2022.
The STEM building will feature dance studios, science labs, robotics labs, graphics studios, a staff hub and seven classrooms. It will also include a United Cultural Centre with purpose-built prayer and wash facilities for the school’s Muslim student population, as well as an all-faith prayer room.
Mabel Park SHS Principal said the school was over the moon with the new project. He noted that the new building is magnificent, and it will give the school community some truly advanced facilities for teaching science, technology and robotics.
The automotive workshop will be run with green energy and batteries and we’ll have the latest in robotic technology and 3D printing facilities. The school currently has eight female students being mentored in Engineering at QUT, and this is about to expand to 40 students, so this workshop will be a huge asset to our STEM and automotive technology curriculum.
A partnership with QUT Engineering is also being developed so that collaboration with the local, national and international experts in this field can be continued, take students on the right path for future study and employment.
