A new-look Scitech has been officially unveiled following a $10 million refurbishment.
A new-look Scitech has been officially unveiled following a $10 million refurbishment.
Science and Innovation Minister Francis Logan said more than 4.5 million people had visited Scitech since it opened in 1988, many of them young Western Australians who had been encouraged to embrace science, technology and innovation.
About 200,000 members of the general public and 50,000 schoolchildren visit each year.
In 2003, the State Government committed $24.3 million to Scitech over five years. This investment included $10.2 million for capital refurbishment.
"The critical phases of this redevelopment are now complete and Scitech is now well-positioned to play an even more important role in the State Government's strategy to promote science to WA youth and the general public," the Minister said.
"The money has helped create the Horizon planetarium, redevelop the CSIRO laboratory, refurbish the sound house, expand the puppet theatre and create a stunning new entry.
"It has also helped in the general refurbishment of offices, workshops, exhibition spaces and visitor facilities."
Mr Logan said the encouragement of children and students towards science careers was a key requirement for the continued expansion of WA's knowledge-based economy.
The Minister said Scitech used interesting and practical demonstrations to achieve this.
"Scitech features interactive ways for visitors to discover more about the world and the science behind how things work," he said.
"The exhibits are hands-on, the majority of which are designed and produced on-site.
The final stage of the Scitech refurbishment will focus on the development and construction of new science, technology and innovation programs and exhibits. It should be completed by 2008.
