Media Release
Transurban Invest in STEM Learning
Thanks to a new investment by Transurban, more than 100 NSW public school teachers will have access to a unique professional development program that supports STEM learning in NSW. Transurban will become the new Learning Program Partner at Powerhouse Parramatta and will invest $195,000 into STEM education in NSW, starting in 2026.
Offering a free annual two-day enrichment program for secondary school educators, the program will be available to teachers in eight local government areas in Western Sydney. New strategies for effective STEM teaching, alongside specialist-led talks and networking opportunities designed to strengthen connections within the NSW education community will be provided to teachers.
The initiative will complement Powerhouse's immersive STEM learning experiences including the museum’s expanded in-school programming delivered through the Lang Walker Family Academy.
Powerhouse Parramatta is the first major cultural institution to be established in the geographical heart of Sydney. Opening in 2026, the new museum will deliver expansive STEM learning programs in state-of-the-art education spaces. The new Lang Walker Family Academy facilities will also include accommodation for 56 students and their teachers participating in 3-day intensive STEM camps.
Transurban General Manager for WestConnex Denise Kelly said, ‘Our partnership with Powerhouse affirms our shared vision to strengthen in the future of STEM education in Western Sydney. Our commitment to invest in STEM learning initiatives also highlights our desire to empower the educators who will invigorate students from different ages and backgrounds. Investing in the future of infrastructure means investing in the workforce to build it, and that means not leaving any talent on the sideline.’
Powerhouse Trust President David Borger said, ‘Transurban’s investment will have a resounding effect on STEM education. The annual teacher enrichment program will provide our teachers with access to innovative new approaches for nurturing Western Sydney students’ talent and ambition and will give future engineers and scientists a competitive edge in this growing industry.’
Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah said, ‘Powerhouse is proud to partner with Transurban, an industry leader that shares our vision for empowering the communities in Western Sydney. We look forward to seeing the positive impacts in classrooms across the city.’
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About Powerhouse
Powerhouse sits at the intersection of arts, design, science and technology and plays a critical role in engaging communities with contemporary ideas and issues. We are undertaking a landmark $1.2 billion infrastructure renewal program, spearheaded by the creation of the new museum, Powerhouse Parramatta; expanded research and public facilities at Powerhouse Castle Hill; the renewal of the iconic Powerhouse Ultimo; and the ongoing operation of Sydney Observatory. The museum is custodian to over half a million objects of national and international significance and is considered one of the finest and most diverse collections in Australia. We are also undertaking an expansive digitisation project that will provide new levels of access to the Powerhouse Collection.
About Transurban
Transurban is an Australian-owned company, everything they do works to get people where they want to go, as quickly and safely as possible – from designing and building new roads to researching new vehicle and road safety technology.
Since 1996, Transurban has been building and operating toll roads in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, as well as in the Greater Washington Are (United States) and Montreal (Canada).
Transurban employs more than 3,900 people across these cities, as well as many more through the delivery of projects – such as the M7 – M12 Integration Project in Sydney which supports job creation in Western Sydney.
It has built a track record of partnering with multiple governments to successfully manage key road infrastructure in NSW including delivering NorthConnex and WestConnex, and widening the M5 West and Hills M2 to ease congestion as Sydney grows.
Transurban is committed to strengthening communities through transport, providing leadership and taking action on road safety, environmental and social issues and investing in them to create lasting benefits for all.
About Lang Walker Family Academy
In one of the largest donations ever to an Australian cultural institution, the Walker Family Foundation donated $20 million to the Lang Walker Family Academy and associated Programs. This commitment will fund access to world-class immersive STEM education experiences at the museum for over 10,000 high school students from Western Sydney and regional NSW every year, including overnight stays at the museum. The Lang Walker Family Academy programs commenced in 2022 in Western Sydney with in school STEM education programming for schools in the Blacktown, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Bankstown, Penrith and Parramatta LGAs.