Free access for partner schools
Students attend Tech Schools for single or multi-day programs while remaining enrolled in their home school. Tech Schools are free for partner schools to access, and free transport is provided between the partner school and the Tech School.
Tech Schools are open to students from their local government, Catholic and independent schools. Check if your school is in a Tech School location.
Tech Schools do not offer trade training or qualifications.
Program example: Geelong Tech School
Geelong Tech School’s core programs are co-designed with local industry partners. They aim to ignite students’ passion for utilising STEM skills and design thinking, whilst using cutting-edge technology to craft solutions to real world problems.
Examples include:
- students coding drones in programs designed to assist Life Saving Victoria to save lives
- utilising advanced data technologies to inform better uses of wind and solar power generation.
Programs available statewide
Tech Schools offer a range of remote and virtual STEM programs which are available to schools across the state. Remote and virtual programs are particularly for students in regional and rural areas and may consist of a single session or run over several days.
Where required, the Tech School will provide program-specific equipment, teacher delivery guides, pre-learning activities and post-activity learning suggestions.
Tech Schools also offer STEM camps for students in regional and rural areas without access to a Tech School facility. These camps may run for multiple days and may involve a combination of inquiry-based learning, industry visits and guest speakers.
Contact your nearest Tech School to learn more and book.
Programs designed to meet students’ needs
Tech School program offerings are designed with input from partner schools to ensure they enhance the curriculum and benefit teachers. Programs are mapped to the Victorian Curriculum and designed to complement the learning experience at school.
Tech Schools focus on students’ needs at each stage of their education. Programs foster students’ skills and interests in STEM throughout their secondary years, offering engaging discovery and taster programs for Years 7-10, and enrichment and extension courses for Years 11-12.
Programs can be further tailored to meet partner schools’ individual needs. Contact your local Tech School to find out more about what they can offer your students.
Tech Schools comply with the department’s policy relating to the Child Safe Standards.
Professional learning for teachers
Tech Schools offer opportunities for teacher professional learning, which can be tailored to meet a school or teachers’ needs. Professional learning programs may focus on specific technologies or equipment. Others focus on pedagogical approaches in STEM, including the Design2Innovate course, which provides a three-day introduction to design thinking and its applications in classroom and leadership practice.
Contact your local Tech School to learn more about professional learning opportunities.
Professional learning at Tech Schools is open to all Victorian teachers.
Contact your local Tech School or check the Tech Schools Network’s Arc channel to learn more about professional learning opportunities.
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