Scitech’s independent media hub, Particle, delivers creative and engaging content tailored for young people, from upper high school onwards. Particle’s online articles explore the science behind current affairs, highlight the latest science happening in WA and around the world, provide a deep dive into a single topic, or profile leaders in science. We build on this engagement through a series of podcasts, email newsletters and social media.

In 2024-25, we introduced a new podcast, Word for Word, which reimagines Particle’s written stories as narrative podcasts, making them accessible to audiences who need or prefer an audio format. Each episode is paired with deeper reflections that encourage philosophical thinking about science and its impact on life in WA.

By providing science news that is topical, entertaining and accessible, Particle helps young people understand their world, make informed decisions, and discover potential career pathways.

Fostering the next generation of science journalists

Beyond engaging and informing audiences, Particle is also helping to develop and nurture the current and next generation of science writers, journalists and communicators.

In 2024–25, Particle published 113 articles, supporting 28 freelance journalists at different stages of their science writing careers.

Rockwell McGellin, Particle writer and UWA Science Communication tutor

Connie Greeve, Particle writer and UWA Masters of Science Communication student

Sparking conversations at TEDx

In November 2024, Particle joined TEDx Kings Park Youth, connecting with young thinkers, innovators, and changemakers. Through digital kiosks and thought-provoking quizzes such as “Which is more of a threat: AI or rising sea levels?” and “Is space travel a waste of money?”, we engaged more than 420 attendees. The activations sparked passionate conversations as participants explored diverse perspectives on global issues.

For younger audiences, Scitech’s YouTube series Toy Tear Down takes apart toys to reveal the surprising science and engineering inside. From gecko-inspired grip tech to rubber ducks that helped map the ocean, each episode pairs fun and play with real scientific explanations.

From living rooms in the Pilbara to classrooms in the US, Toy Tear Down is helping young people think about toys through a scientific lens, showing how science is used in our everyday lives.

YouTube comment

At Scitech, we believe that STEM education is the key to Australia’s future.

With funding from the Schools Pathways Program, Future Makers is getting young Western Australians excited about how skills in science, technology, engineering and maths are shaping the future of the defence industry.

Future Makers aims to inspire high school students to pursue STEM education and career pathways through fully subsidised school excursions and engaging expos.

In May 2025, Scitech showcased Future Makers at Careers Expo 2025. More than 12,000 people attended the expo over four days, with Scitech engaging visitors in fun engineering challenges, demonstrations of real-world applications, and live polls hosted by Particle.

In 2025-26, Scitech will showcase Future Makers at the Resources Technology Showcase and STEM Regional Festivals in Bunbury, Albany and Geraldton. The free Future Makers excursions will be delivered in Terms 3 and 4 in 2025, and Term 1 in 2026.

We would like to thank Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy for investing in STEM education and backing programs that equip young people with the skills and knowledge to drive this crucial industry.

In October 2024, Challenge Days brought together young minds in a celebration of collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving.

Students from 35 schools, four Primary Extension and Challenge (PEAC) programs and the Polly Farmer Foundation applied their STEM skills to a series of real-world challenges under the theme of Space Race. Students calculated optimal routes for the Curiosity Rover, balanced cargo loads for space shuttle missions, and analysed mysterious space rock samples.

Each challenge demanded creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork, encouraging students to engage deeply with scientific and mathematical principles in an inspiring, hands-on environment. Teams collected points from each challenge and the top scoring teams were awarded prizes at the end of each day.

Through events like Challenge Days, we are helping to cultivate critical skills in young Western Australians and laying the foundations for a strong future STEM workforce.

Mrs. Hollie Dunn, Peter Carnley Anglican Community School

In March 2025, Scitech launched our first national program, Mission: SPACE.

The free program is designed and delivered by Scitech and funded by the Australian Space Agency.

It aims to inspire and prepare the next generation for exciting careers in the space sector through a hands-on engineering challenge for Australian classrooms, and a series of virtual excursions delivered during National Science Week 2025.

Scitech collaborated with space industry experts, including from the Australian Space Agency and the Australian Space Discovery Centre, NASA, the UWA School of Molecular Sciences, the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR).

Interviews with these experts featured in the Mission: SPACE virtual excursions, highlighting
the many different career pathways that exist in the space sector.

During the 2024-25 financial year, Scitech developed and launched the Mars Challenge – inviting schools to design, build and test their own Mars Rover prototype. Scitech sent kits with materials and lesson content to 100 Australian primary schools, helping to inspire young minds to learn more about space and even consider a future career in the sector.

Delivered by Scitech, in partnership with Chevron Australia, Lighthouse Maths is a year-long professional development program to build teachers’ skills and confidence in using problem-solving and reasoning techniques to teach maths.

The Lighthouse Maths approach sees students working together, using their shared knowledge and understanding to find a solution, with teachers using targeted questioning to prompt further learning. Students discover there are many different approaches and solutions to the same problem, building their problem-solving, collaboration, and reasoning skills.

One of the 2025 participating teachers, Lauren French from Madeley Primary School, shared that Lighthouse Maths had enabled her students to apply mathematics concepts in meaningful, real-world contexts, encouraging deeper engagement with the content.

“[Lighthouse Maths] allows students to demonstrate understanding through reasoning, persistence, and creative thinking, moving beyond rote procedures,” Ms French said.

“The structure provides a supportive environment where less confident learners felt safe to contribute and demonstrate their understanding.”

Roseworth Primary School teacher Jaimel Barrett was part of the 2024 cohort and said that participating in Lighthouse Maths changed how she questions students during math lessons.

“I now emphasise questions that encourage students to explain and demonstrate their reasoning,” Ms Barrett said.

“Seeing my students enjoy math lessons and engage more deeply has made the experience
even more rewarding.”

Now in its fifth year, Lighthouse Maths has achieved some incredible results. Using the ACER
PAT-Mathematics assessment to measure student performance and growth, we found that students who participated in Lighthouse Maths in 2024 achieved on average five months of additional learning beyond the expected growth of one year.

Teachers who participated in the 2024 program reported a 62% increase in confidence teaching mathematical problem-solving, a 91% increase in student problem solving capacity, and a 52% increase in student engagement in maths.

Scitech, in partnership with the Alcoa Foundation, is ensuring students are future-ready, by helping teachers incorporate digital technologies into their daily teaching.

Alcoa Foundation Real World Digital Technologies is a one-term professional learning program that aims to increase teacher confidence and engagement with teaching digital technologies across subject areas. In 2024, Scitech delivered the program to schools in the Serpentine-Jarrahdale region, and in 2025 we have been working with seven schools from Kwinana to Yarloop.

To support long-term change and impact, we also deliver Alcoa Foundation Champions of Digital Technologies, a year-long professional learning program. Through workshops, peer-to-peer coaching and resources, the program supports eight teachers across four schools to deliver curriculum-aligned learning, specific to their school and classroom contexts.

This is the third year Scitech has delivered the Alcoa Foundation Champions of Digital Technologies program. In 2024, all participants reported increased confidence in teaching digital content, and an increase in their students’ engagement and capacity in digital technologies.

Scitech’s Integrated Digital Technologies program is deepening digital literacy and future-ready skills through a 30-week professional learning program.

In partnership with Woodside Energy, program empowers primary school teachers in Karratha to embed digital technologies learning across the curriculum, through teaching resources and ongoing coaching.

One standout element is the Catch a Hacker event – an interactive challenge that invites students, parents and carers to work together to solve a mystery.

Scitech Professional Learning Consultant Emily Grainger said the Catch a Hacker event at Tambrey Primary School in September 2024 was one of the biggest Scitech’s ever had.

“It was so great to see the school community getting involved and discovering the fun and satisfaction of using their problem-solving skills to solve the puzzles,” Ms Grainger said.

The program is offered at no cost to selected Karratha schools, making high-impact digital technologies learning accessible to regional communities.

STEM Club is an intensive multi-week after school program for students in Years 4 to 6 delivered by Scitech, in partnership with Woodside Energy.

In 2024-25, participants took a deep dive into STEM concepts through hands-on projects such as building an animatronic sculpture, creating a light-up artwork, exploring robotics, and constructing a rubber band powered flying machine.

Scitech Operations Coordinator Zoe Burt said she was impressed by the resilience and determination of the students as they navigated complicated or frustrating projects.

“It’s inspiring to watch them intuitively follow the design process without even consciously thinking about it – testing things out, changing their plans, trying again, asking their peers for help,” she said.

“The icing on the cake is when they want to take their project home after STEM Club is over, to continue working on it.”

Through the support of Woodside Energy, this program is provided for free to select schools.

Scitech’s DIY Science Kits are empowering teachers across Western Australia to deliver high-quality, hands-on science education – no matter where their classroom is.

Supported by Rio Tinto, each kit provides a term’s worth of curriculum-aligned activities and materials to engage students in learning about robotics and coding, biological sciences, chemical sciences, earth and space sciences, and physical sciences.

At Warlawurru Catholic Primary School in Halls Creek, students from Foundation to Year 6 used the kit’s resources during their regular science lessons – turning science into a much-anticipated highlight of the week.

Teacher Iain MacKellar said students had shown great engagement and interest in all of the activities.

“The students particularly enjoy the hands-on nature of many activities, stimulating tactile responses and introducing students to new materials and new experiences,” Mr MacKellar said.

“The activities are all about developing students’ science enquiry skills through exploration and
investigation.

“The questions usually stimulate valuable discussions and sharing of ideas.”

Scitech’s two year partnership also includes the Rio Tinto Innovation Central space in the Scitech
Discovery Centre.

Students in the Pilbara are building essential digital skills through hands-on experiences.

The Mitsui Future Computing program builds teachers’ confidence in teaching physical computing – interactive systems that can sense and respond to the world around them.

Students in the Pilbara are building essential digital skills through hands-on experiences. The Mitsui Future Computing program builds teachers’ confidence in teaching physical computing – interactive systems that can sense and respond to the world around them.

With the support of Mitsui Iron Ore Development, the program offers mentoring, coaching and in-class workshops. Teachers receive practical support to plan and deliver engaging digital technologies lessons, while students learn through problem-solving and coding activities using small computers, which are provided by the program.

In 2024 and 2025 Scitech is delivering Mitsui Future Computing to Pegs Creek Primary School in Karratha. We delivered 38 professional learning sessions to 30 teachers in 2024-25 and 16 in-classroom collaborations with 74 students. To mark the end of the 2024 program, Scitech’s professional learning team worked with teachers and students to run a traffic light coding challenge using LED lights.

Gail Davies, Pegs Creek Primary School teacher

What will Perth look like in 2050? And are we prepared?

In 2024, Scitech and Committee for Perth put these questions to the Perth community, commissioning the Perth 2050 report with futurist Dr Ben Hamer.

The report found Perth residents are cautiously optimistic about 2050 – with 68% excited about the future, but just 22% feeling that Perth is prepared for 2050.

The environment (90%), health care (89%), housing affordability and availability (86%), economic diversification (81%) and inclusive communities (78%) were identified as the top five issues that Perth residents believe we must tackle over the next 25 years.

For Scitech, the report highlights our role as a STEM education institution in preparing Perth residents and the future generation for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Scitech Chief Executive Officer Dr John Chappell said it was important we start talking about the questions and issues raised in the report.

“The keys to Perth’s future success are outlined in this report: economic diversification, green energy transition, and responsible technology adoption,” said Dr Chappell.

“A 10-year-old who visits Scitech today will be 36 and engaging in a vastly different world in 2050.

“We need to act now to ensure they are prepared by equipping our young people, and the rest of the community, with future-ready STEM skills, digital literacy, and a commitment to lifelong learning.”

With Perth’s population forecast to reach 3.5 million by 2050, this report marks the beginning of an ongoing dialogue with policymakers, business leaders, educators, and the wider community.

Read a copy of the Perth 2050 report here.

Scitech joined forces with Edith Cowan University (ECU) to promote Western Australian innovation, science and engineering, and inspire young minds about the endless possibilities of a career in engineering.

From December 2024 to January 2025, the Scitech Discovery Centre hosted ECU Racing Team’s custom-built Wilson Resolute race car, which took the top spot at Formula Student 2024 in the UK.

Weighing in at a feather light 164 kilograms, the race car can reach 100km/h in under four seconds and outperformed 55 other universities from across Europe.

The Scitech and ECU collaboration also featured interactive talks by ECU Racing Team members and Scitech Engineers Ashley Ure and Morgan Ure.

In April 2025, Scitech teamed up with our national counterpart Questacon to deliver a free Pop-Up Science Centre to Bunbury.

Scitech provided interactive STEM activities and exhibits including puzzles, robotics, and experiments with G-forces and flight. We also supplied a cohort of amazing science communicators to engage visitors with science busks and sparkling conversation. Questacon delivered a selection of science shows featuring bubbles, liquid Nitrogen and fireballs for an enthusiastic crowd.

Engaging 1,590 people across two days, the partnership provided a fantastic opportunity for shared learning between our two teams, and a reminder of the power of science to connect and inspire communities.

In 2024–25, WA STEM Connect continued to play an important role in strengthening collaboration and communication among Western Australia’s STEM organisations.

Hosted bi-annually by Scitech, this program creates opportunities for knowledge-sharing and cross-sector engagement, all in the spirit of growing a vibrant STEM community.

The Better Together event in March 2025 was an exclusive event for Western Australian STEM organisations, giving them the opportunity to profile their projects and goals through short presentations. We introduced Network Bingo – a light-hearted activity designed to spark conversations and help attendees facilitate discussions around the spotlight presentations.

The Content event in October 2024 welcomed a broader audience, including educators, and focused on showcasing current STEM outreach activities in WA. Scitech’s Audience Research Manager shared evaluation and reflective practices, and our Programs Coordinator spoke about the Two-Way Science approach for cross-cultural learning. Representatives from Questacon and Edith Cowan University also spoke about their respective outreach programs.

In 2024-25, we also launched the WA STEM Connect Directory – a publication highlighting the services and programs offered by STEM organisations in WA.

As we look to 2025–26, we remain focused on expanding participation, deepening collaboration, and celebrating the incredible work happening across our state.

In January 2025, we brought the science of renewable energy to life through a series of eight My Future Energy workshops, delivered in partnership with OPITO’s Offshore Training Foundation.

These workshops were part of the Offshore Wind4Kids initiative, aimed at sparking interest in energy careers and building the skills needed for a net zero future.

Scitech designed the Breezy Builders workshop for lower primary school-aged children, with the aim of exploring wind energy through playful, hands-on experimentation. Participants designed and built their own wind turbines, testing how much weight their creations could lift, and refining their designs through trial and error.

For older participants, Turbine Tinkering offered a deeper dive into turbine mechanics and offshore
wind innovation, challenging participants to build an offshore wind turbine on a simulated coastline.

Over the course of the summer school holidays, 106 young participants took part in the workshops,
with a further nine siblings and 56 parents and carers joining in to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Participants’ understanding of what is considered a STEM career changed over the course of the workshop through conversations that highlighted real-world links and career opportunities. One Scitech facilitator noted: “One kid was fascinated with how being a scuba diver could mean a job in science and not just a hobby.”

Workshop participants

In 2024-25, Scitech exported Western Australian science education to global audiences, with tours to Hong Kong and India.

Scitech presented our unique shows and exhibits at Croucher Science Week at Hong Kong Science Museum, and CHIREC International School expo in Hyderabad.

At Croucher Science Week, which ran from 7-25 April 2025, we showcased Scitech’s brand-new science show, Wow! to excited audiences. It was an amazing opportunity to share what Scitech does and engage with science communicators from all over the world, including The Royal Institution of Great Britian and Germany’s Deutsches Museum.

For the first time, Scitech also travelled to India, bringing our interactive exhibits, science activities and Under Pressure show to CHIREC International School expo in April 2025. Scitech was invited directly by the India-based event organisers – a huge recognition of our expertise and leadership in informal science learning.

All of Scitech’s exhibits, shows and activities are designed and created onsite at Scitech, and we’re proud to be representing Western Australian science and innovation on the world stage.

As a science engagement organisation, we recognise our responsibility to lead environmental sustainability by example.

We’re committed to reducing our environmental footprint, making thoughtful choices, and helping others understand how they can also be part of the solution.

Sustainability Action Plan

In 2024-25, we took significant steps towards our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, with the launch of our first Sustainability Action Plan. The plan provides a roadmap of actions we will take over the next three years, in the key areas of operational impact, procurement, managing and reporting, culture, and engaging stakeholders.

To support the development of the plan, we established a dedicated Sustainability Lead position (0.2 full-time equivalent). We also formed a cross-organisational Sustainability Working Group to help drive the implementation of our action plan and foster a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.

Environmental audits

Scitech conducted key environmental audits, including assessing our lighting, printing, and waste, and undertaking a carbon footprint assessment (scope 1 and 2 emissions). The audits have provided important baseline data and helped identify opportunities for improvement.

Engaging our staff and community

A sustainable future requires collective effort, so we are embedding sustainability across our workplace culture and visitor experiences.

In November 2024, we participated in National Recycling Week, hosting a Recycling Trivia event to raise awareness and spark conversations among staff about waste reduction and recycling practices.

We also provide Containers for Change collection points throughout our centre and offices, supported by signage to encourage recycling habits for both staff and visitors. Funds raised by the scheme contribute to Scitech’s School Access Program, providing select primary schools with free entry to a Scitech excursion and support towards bus transportation.

Scitech proudly partnered with the Government of Western Australia and the Waste Authority to create an interactive exhibit as part of our Here, There and Everywhere transformation. The exhibit features a waste truck activity, where visitors sort household waste into general waste, recycling, FOGO and Containers for Change bins – helping Western Australians understand how to reduce landfill in their everyday lives.

In 2024–25, we developed our first Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This marks an important step in our commitment to reconciliation and to building meaningful, respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Through our Discovery Centre and outreach programs, we are uniquely positioned to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, creating opportunities to develop exhibits and experiences that are culturally responsive and foster deeper, more inclusive STEM engagement across Western Australia.

Our RAP reflects our commitment to building a workplace culture that embraces diversity, champions inclusivity, and respectfully acknowledges the histories and ongoing contributions of First Nations peoples. Through the RAP, we are embedding reconciliation into the core of our operations.

A RAP Working Group, which includes representatives from across Scitech, has been championing the implementation of the plan. In 2024-25, key achievements included rolling out staff Cultural Competence training, engaging staff in National Reconciliation Week activities, and conducting a review of human resources policies and procedures to identify existing anti-discrimination provisions and future needs.

At Scitech, we believe science is for everyone.

That’s why we’re deeply committed to making our experiences more inclusive, welcoming, and accessible for all members of our community. In 2024–2025, we introduced new programs, partnerships, and upgrades to help remove barriers and foster a more equitable space for science engagement.

Auslan Day

In collaboration with the WA Foundation for Deaf Children (WAFDC), we hosted a dedicated Auslan Day during the October School Holidays. This initiative created a welcoming environment tailored to the needs of families with Deaf and hard-of-hearing children, including Auslan interpretation of our science, puppet and planetarium shows, and a welcome video in Auslan with captions to communicate visitor information. WAFDC provided Deaf Mentors to assist visitors throughout the day.

Creating low-sensory environments

Thanks to support from Scitech’s philanthropy program, we trialled transforming the Puppet Theatre
into a low sensory space during the Summer and Autumn School Holidays – an initiative warmly received by families of children with sensory sensitivities. Based on the success of the trial, we’re excited to continue offering a designated low sensory space during all major school holiday periods going forward.

Improving physical access to our spaces

We completed important physical infrastructure upgrades to ensure Scitech’s facilities are accessible to all. This included widening the door of the Magnesium Meeting Room, which is available for community use.

New cochlear implant exhibit

Scitech collaborated with Deaf Connect to develop a new cochlear implant exhibit for the Here, There
and Everywhere gallery. This hands-on exhibit explains the science behind cochlear implants and features personal stories from people who use them, offering visitors a meaningful glimpse into both the technology and the lived experiences of Deaf community members.

Live closed captioning

To support the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community to experience Scitech’s science shows, demonstrations and planetarium shows, we have been working to implement a closed caption system to transcribe spoken word into text. Supported by funding from Telethon, the system will allow us to deliver real-time, accurate captioning in the Scitech Planetarium, Chevron Science Theatre and via a mobile screen trolley, which will be used in outreach and pop-up events.

Expanding Access Days with The Smith Family and Transperth

In a partnership with The Smith Family and Transperth, we delivered Access Days over two weekends during the Summer School Holidays. These events provided free entry to Scitech and included complimentary public transport, helping to reduce both cost and logistical barriers for families.

Strengthening staff training

To better support all our visitors, Scitech’s delivery teams completed Neurodiversity Training. This helps ensure our team is equipped with the skills and understanding needed to create safe, respectful, and inclusive experiences for every visitor.

Accessible Tourism Accreditation Program 

Scitech took part in the Accessible Tourism Accreditation program, which looks at improving and
communicating accessibility for visitors. As part of program, Scitech committed to continuously improving the accessibility of the Scitech Discovery Centre and our programs.

Proudly marching for inclusivity

We were proud to join the Perth PrideFest Parade for the first time in 2024 to celebrate inclusivity in science. With the message “science is for everyone,” Scitech joined community groups, businesses and organisations in solidarity and celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Scitech’s entry was a statement of support for LGBTQIA+ people in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), who often face harassment, career barriers, and pressure to conceal their identities.

Scitech Partnership Advisor and Pride Working Group Lead Chloe Jensen

Our debut at Perth PrideFest Parade builds on Scitech’s broader commitment to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe, seen, and represented in STEM.