On 13 August, the University of Tasmania hosted an Appreciative Inquiry workshop to discuss the future needs of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) facilities in Southern Tasmania.
The event brought together 65 participants, including students, University staff, and representatives from government, industry and the community, to collaborate on a shared vision for STEM education and research in the region.
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Campus Life (Southern Tasmania), Professor Nicholas Farrelly, highlighted the importance of this collaborative initiative.
"It is good to see recognition and support from across the community that science, technology, engineering, and maths education is critical for Tasmania's future and that our STEM facilities are in urgent need of investment and upgrading."
The workshop gathered valuable insights to help guide the future direction of the University's STEM facilities.
"Decisions about our facilities must be guided by the expertise and experience of those who will teach, research, and learn in them, and that is what the Appreciative Inquiry workshop was all about," Professor Farrelly said.
Participants took part in discussions and visioning exercises throughout the day, sharing their knowledge and experiences to help understand the region's STEM needs.
The results from this session will be pivotal in developing guiding principles for the next stage of the campus design, supporting the future of STEM education and research.
The University extends its thanks to Hassell for facilitating the workshop and John Holm from SocioDesign for guiding these critical conversations. Their expertise was instrumental in fostering a collaborative environment where ideas could flourish and sharing examples of best practice globally.
