Funding to foster creative and inquiry-based learning in young people

The opportunity provides grants up to $100,000. It aims to foster creativity and inquiry-based learning to support development of STEM skills in students and youth in design, engineering and programming through hands-on learning.

The Maker Projects – Community STEM Engagement grants 2022 aims to foster creativity and inquiry‑based learning and support the development of STEM skills in students and youth under 18 years of age in design, engineering and programming, through hands-on learning.

The objectives of the grant opportunity are to:

• deliver maker projects where students and youth under 18 years of age can develop and apply their STEM knowledge through experimentation, tinkering and hands-on learning by engaging with a range of technologies
• encourage practical skills, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking through the delivery of hands-on STEM-related events and activities
• inspire students to pursue STEM disciplines in their study and work
• ensure that maker projects are accessible to as many young people as possible, including those in regional, rural and disadvantaged areas
• make a positive and ongoing impact on youth under 18 years of age, particularly those from historically under-represented groups, including girls, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and youth living in regional, rural and remote locations, people with disability and people from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds.

The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are for students and youth under 18 years to gain:

• practical knowledge and skills in scientific experimentation, design, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship
• increased access to STEM-related events and activities
• positive and ongoing development of STEM skills through inquiry-based learning and participation in STEM events.