Scitech’s optimal prime move

Isuzu powering science education in Western Australia, Prime Mover Magazine,  August 2018

Perth-based science education centre Scitech relies on Isuzu when touring Western Australia where it provides interactive exhibits, workshops and shows to regional and remote communities.

It travels up to 1,000 kilometres a week.

Megan O’Sullivan, Scitech Statewide Operations Manager engages with young people to help highlight science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), providing specialist activities to half-a-million Western Australians in a red Isuzu NNR 45-150 AMT crew cab.

O’Sullivan tries to get out to every school once every three years. Covering the expanse of Western Australia is an immense task for which the Isuzu NNR, is especially suited she said.

“We looked at many other brands and they didn’t meet our requirements,” O’Sullivan said.

“We looked at buying another European truck, but one of the Isuzu’s biggest selling points was the ability to get it serviced and repaired locally.”

The Isuzu NNR, which features a customised pantech body and a tail-lift, an essential advantage for loading gear according to O’Sullivan, has allowed Scitech to expand its program tours.

The truck according to O’Sullivan is essentially a mobile lab containing science gear, banners and a public address system.

“My favourite part of the job is travelling to remote communities,” she said. “They can be very isolated, and they might not have done any science related activities before.”

“Seeing the look on their faces when they understand something for the first time, or they’re having fun doing science, is incredibly rewarding.”

Virtual reality goggles, robotics, interactive light displays and forensic investigations are all part of the Scitech activities brought to children across Australia’s biggest state.

The Scitech project has been running since 1988.