National water education partnership with Questacon: A touring exhibition, outreach and outline program
Project details
| Objective: | To develop a national, integrated water education and awareness program. |
| Funding: | Up to $2.5 million for Questacon to develop and tour a travelling exhibition ($1.7m), a schools outreach program ($0.5m), and to design and construct a permanent exhibition at the Questacon national centre in Canberra ($0.3m). The total value of the project is $5.2 million, with $2.7 million being contributed by Questacon. |
| Jurisdiction: | National |
| Commenced: | June 2008 |
| Completion: | 2010 |
Progress
About the project
The project will entail the development of a national, integrated water education and awareness program comprising three components:
- A portable exhibition to tour nationally throughout regional centres promoting water awareness and key messages supporting National Water Initiative objectives
- A national in-school presentation program for early secondary school students promoting career opportunities in water management and their linkage with maths, science and technology electives
- A permanent water exhibition at Questacon in Canberra promoting water literacy
Project benefits
The project will promote National Water Initiative objectives to key audiences:
- The touring exhibition will contribute to enhancing water education and literacy, especially in regional and rural locations. The exhibition will be designed to enhance understanding of water science, challenges and innovation, with the water element building on Questacon's existing national travelling exhibition program.
- The in-school presentation program will showcase career opportunities in water management, innovation and entrepreneurship and will contribute to raising the skills and capacity of the water industry in Australia by increasing student participation in science and maths disciplines and promoting awareness of the industry as a career option. This component will be specifically developed for years 8 and 9 students, and will tour Australia over a two-year period (minimum) as an extension to Questacon's Smart Moves program.
- A contribution to a permanent Questacon water exhibit will provide opportunity for input to key messages promoting water literacy.