GHD Foundation and FarLABS partner to make science accessible to regional and remote students

A lack of science equipment is no barrier for high school students thanks to a unique online program FarLABS, supported by GHD Foundation.

Established in 2013, La Trobe University’s Freely-Accessible Remote Laboratories (FARLabs) is a virtual laboratory where high school students from around Australia and globally can carry out science experiments remotely.

Funding from GHD Foundation will specifically enable FARLabs to reach approximately 100 regional and remote schools this year, in addition to the development of new learning content through experiments and interactive learning experiences in the areas of food, agriculture and climate change which will be developed with regional and rural communities in mind. Activities and experiments are linked to the Victorian curriculum for middle school years (7-10), VCE/HSC and the Australian national science curriculum. There may also be opportunities for GHD employees to volunteer with FARLabs.

“FARLabs brings university-level scientific research and practices into secondary school classrooms. It’s a unique program that makes science relevant to students in rural and regional areas and addresses the inequality of access to scientific equipment. Support from philanthropic organisations like GHD Foundation is crucial for the continued expansion of FARLabs,” says Prof. Brian Abbey, La Trobe University.

“Students outside urban areas continue to be underrepresented in higher education. Our support for FARLabs is part of GHD Foundation’s mission to provide more equitable access to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education and careers,” says Jo Metcalfe, GHD Foundation Managing Director.