FACT SHEET

Questacon and The Ian Potter The Ian Potter Foundation Technology Foundation Partnership Learning Centre is in a highly competitive global economic environment. The reality is that if we are to prosper we The Ian Potter Foundation and need to be more productive and more innovative. We must have the foresight and imagination to create cutting edge, – The National Science and Technology wealth producing industries of the future. Centre have partnered to help develop The IPTLC has been created to help meet Australia’s creative young people by immersing them skills challenge. It will also be the hub for a new national technology and innovation education initiative, the in innovation, design, technology and Questacon Smart Skills Initiative. entrepreneurial learning activities. The IPTLC offers a range of onsite interactive experiences for students and the public to engage with technology In October 2014, The Ian Potter Foundation—one of and innovation. Activities are designed around a central Australia’s major philanthropic foundations—generously theme of the innovation process, fostering an interest and provided a grant of $7.8 million over five years to awareness of how things are made and how societal Questacon – The National Science and Technology need drives the process of cutting-edge innovation. Centre. The grant, made in the 50th anniversary year of the Foundation, is the largest awarded by The Ian Potter Foundation in the areas of science and education and the largest ever awarded outside Victoria.

This contribution reflects the importance of this project for Australia and the investment required to transition to the technology-focused, innovative, knowledge-based economy that is vital for our future.

In 2013, with support from the Department of Industry, Questacon launched the Questacon Technology Learning Centre in the refurbished Royal Australian Administration building at Deakin in the ACT. In recognition of the announcement of the generous contribution from The Ian Potter Foundation, Questacon re-named the facility The Ian Potter Foundation Technology Learning Centre (IPTLC) the following year.

The IPTLC has been created to guide young Australians towards a path of creativity and innovation, and to consider careers in technology and engineering. FACT SHEET

The IPTLC features an exhibition space—the Gallery The Questacon Smart Skills Initiative includes a range of Australian Inventiveness— where themed exhibitions of programmes including: and hands-on activities highlight examples of Australia’s creativity and innovation, both past and present, originating from cutting edge research through to backyard inventors. Questacon Maker Project— hands–on workshops for young The story of the innovation process is highlighted through people exploring the process of interactive displays showcasing the important stages of innovation. identifying a society need, prototyping, testing, evaluating and refining solutions, learning from failure and building on success. Questacon Smart Skills— The exploration of the innovation process flows through a national touring programme to the Maker Space, which is a dedicated workshop area for secondary school students that provides a space for school groups, the public and that creates an awareness of special interest groups to participate in stimulating hands- technology, engineering and on activities and engineering challenges. Workshops design thinking. This programme also includes teacher and hands-on activities allow in-depth engagement professional development workshops. for secondary school students and intergenerational community groups exploring high-tech gadgets and low-tech Questacon Smart Skills and the Questacon Smart Skills materials. Teacher Workshops are supported by Technology Partner Samsung Electronics Australia. Within the Maker Space, the Neat Kit Room contains equipment such as 3D printers that allow students to imagine new possibilities for making things. Questacon Invention The Questacon Smart Skills Initiative Convention—intensive multi-day workshops that Inspiring and motivating young Australians is key to build on Smart Skills generating a highly skilled workforce that will create workshops to give students tomorrow’s new ideas and generate new industries. deeper insight into innovation and entrepreneurship. The Invention Convention The Questacon Smart Skills Initiative engages young is supported by IP Australia. people in design thinking, technology, creativity and innovation. Funded jointly by the Australian Government and The Ian Potter Foundation, the Initiative delivers activities nationally through regional partnerships and digital communications technology. Enterprising Australians —a travelling exhibition Through the Initiative, The IPTLC will facilitate interaction that shares the stories and interest for innovation at a national level. Offering a of various Australian significant skills development pathway for participants, products and innovations. each step along the pathway brings greater skill Enterprising Australians development in design thinking, ideation, prototyping and tours in conjunction with the Questacon Invention working with technologies. Convention programme and is supported by IP Australia.

Operating in metropolitan, regional and remote areas across Australia, the Questacon Smart Skills Initiative incorporates programme elements targeted at students, teachers and the general community.

60 Denison St, 02 6270 2800 www.questacon.edu.au Media enquiries: 0439 399 912 [email protected] on light backgrounds on dark backgrounds

standard standard

white black WHITE BLACK no gradients no gradients C0 M0 Y0 K0 C100 M100 Y100 K100

Current as of July 2015 [15110] watermark watermark

stacked logo (for sharing only) stacked logo (for sharing only)