IMAGINE Science & Technology Discovery Centre to launch 7th May 2024

Apia, SAMOA – 06 May 2024 – The IMAGINE Science & Technology Discovery Centre is to be officially launched in Samoa on Tuesday, 07 May 2024 at the Ministry of Education and Culture compound at Malifa.

It is a first for Samoa: Igniting Minds, Empowering Futures is a groundbreaking initiative that promotes the power of science and innovation to support the shaping of brighter futures for Samoan learners.

Working in support of Samoa’s existing education systems, IMAGINE offers young people a unique opportunity to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programmes to increase their knowledge and on-going development within these subjects. IMAGINE is a way for students from across Samoa – including parents, teachers – to learn about scientific topics in hands-on, interactive settings that help develop and sustain an interest in science and innovation.

Following the official opening of IMGAINE to the general public, educators of all subjects will be encouraged to bring students to IMAGINE. With many exhibits focusing on primary school age children while also working to support capacity-building for teachers, IMAGINE will lay the foundation for a generation of scientifically literate and innovative citizens.

The Minister of Education and Culture, Afioga Seu’ula Ioane Tua’au will give the keynote address following a welcome by the CEO of the Ministry of Education and Culture, A’eau Chris Hazelman.

A number of science specialists have already visited IMAGINE including Dr Bobby Cerini the Deputy Director and General Manager of Science and Learning at Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra. While visiting the centre, Dr Cerini spoke about “the great potential of the science centre to foster science education in Samoa.”

Several notable specialists from within the international scientific community will be in attendance for official launch of IMAGINE including Mr Neville Petrie, the Founder and Managing Director of Interactive Exhibition Specialists Limited in New Zealand. Neville has helped to grow IMAGINE and is training the IMAGINE staff on the running of both the exhibits and the science centre.