The Queensland Museum’s Sciencentre will receive a $9.4 million boost in Tuesday’s state budget. Photo: Sciencentre.

Felicity Caldwell, Queensland Sciencentre to be refurbished with $9.4 million budget announcement, Brisbane Times, 12 June 2017

More than $9 million will be spent to transform a Brisbane science exhibition space popular with children and schools.

The Queensland budget, due to be handed down on Tuesday, will include $9.4 million in new funding to transform the Sciencentre on level one of the Queensland Museum at South Bank.

The Sciencentre has not been upgraded since 2004.

It is understood the investment reflects the need to ensure young Queenslanders are confident with STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths), and ready to participate in the emerging industries of the future.

It will include investment in new exhibits to reflect modern technology, innovation and scientific discoveries.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queenslanders’ passion for science was reflected in the 180,000 visitors who attended the Queensland Museum’s first World Science Festival Brisbane in March 2017, and the 1.85 million visitors the museum attracted in the past financial year.

“I know families, science enthusiasts and teachers across Queensland will be delighted to hear this news and I am sure the Sciencentre transformation will inspire many students to study STEM subjects and go on to exciting careers, which is one of the many outcomes we’ve targeted through our Advance Queensland initiative,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said the Sciencentre’s transformation would begin soon, but carefully staged so visitors could still enjoy the centre during the refurbishment.

The doors will open to the revamped Sciencentre by June 2018.