Polly Farmer STEM Centre

The Polly Farmer Foundation’s vision is for all Aboriginal Australians to have an enriching and successful education and a wide range of career and life choices.

Launched in October 2018, Karratha STEM Centre is a new Rio Tinto funded program that seeks to engage and upskill Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in STEM.

The students learning is based inside and outside of the purpose built STEM laboratory, located at Tambrey Primary School. The program also extends to educational trips and time spent with the Foundation’s STEM Centre in Wickham and Learning Club, Roebourne.

Students in Years 4 – 6 at primary school in the Karratha area are selected to participate in the program on a competitive entry basis. The students selected work with one another to build new friendships and extend community relationships.

Student numbers have increased significantly since the Karratha STEM Centre opened.  In 2018, 10 students enrolled in the pilot program (29 October – 3 December 2018). Since then, enrolment numbers have risen to 20 students in Term 1 and reached full capacity of 30 students by Term 2 2019. The program operates at a 90% student attendance rate.