Qld introduces coding and robotics grants program for Indigenous students

The Queensland State Government has introduced a new series of grants for public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres to provide coding and robotics programs to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

The Advance Queensland’s STEM.I.AM program aims to provide opportunities for Indigenous students to develop problem solving, creative thinking and technology skills, by providing hands-on experience including workshops, community-led coding clubs and state and national coding and robotics competitions.

Eligible councils can apply through the State Library of Queensland for up to $25,000 to run the STEM.I.AM program through their library or Indigenous Knowledge Centre.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said the program ‘aims to close the literacy and numeracy gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to ensure they have the skills to fully engage in the digital economy’. ‘Enabling more collaboration between libraries, community groups, schools and universities will encourage more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study STEM at university,’ Enoch said.

Grant applications close on 25 January 2017. For more information, click here.

Category: Library news