High’s hopes for $4m science lab

Andrew Mathieson
A GEELONG school hopes to lead the state in attracting students back to science classes.
Belmont High School will open a $4 million bio-science education centre next year, one of six across Victoria.
Schools around the state bid last year to host the centres as part of a State Government strategy to reverse a trend of students turning away from science.
Principal Garry Schultz said the focus of Belmont High’s bio-science centre would be “fairly exciting stuff”.
“Clearly, Geelong students will have a wonderful advantage with the centre, our own students in particular,” he said.
The school was preparing to meet architects in April, with construction to begin later this year.
The school had a partnership with Deakin University to provide scientists and post-graduate students as teachers, he said.
“It’s all about providing programs, experiences, teachers, facilities and equipment that you can’t have in a regular science classroom because it’s too expensive.