Alcoa Celebrates National Science Week with Carcoola Primary School

National Science Week 2025 in Australia came to life for Carcoola Primary School students, thanks to an immersive STEM experience delivered by Alcoa's Pinjarra Refinery and Huntly Mine.

Designed to spark curiosity and inspire future careers in science and engineering, Alcoa hosted a two-part STEM extravaganza for the local school community. In line with the national celebration of science and technology, students years 4-6 were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Huntly mine and Pinjarra refinery, followed by a full-day science incursion at their school.

The immersive experience gave students a rare glimpse into Alcoa's mining and refining operations. From exploring conveyor systems and haul trucks to investigating revegetated zones and identifying bird species by bite marks on tree nuts, the day was packed with hands-on learning and wide-eyed curiosity. 

Pinjarra Alumina Refinery Manager Jodie Giraudo said Alcoa was proud to support National Science Week and engage local students in meaningful STEM experiences. 

"Science Week is a fantastic opportunity to connect students with the real-world applications of science and technology," Giraudo said. "We hope these experiences spark a lifelong interest in STEM and open their minds to future careers in industries like ours, perhaps even with Alcoa one day." 

For the in-school incursion, Alcoa's laboratory team transformed classrooms at Carcoola Primary School into science labs. Students from pre-primary to year 6 rotated through interactive experiments including Glitter Genome Growers, Pop Kinetics Lab, and the crowd-favorite Mega Mint Blast. Slime-making sessions added an extra layer of fun. 

Beverley Garnett, Principal of Carcoola Primary School, said the activities brought science to life for students in a way that was both educational and enjoyable. 

"For our school community, events like this are incredibly valuable," Garnett said. "They not only ignite curiosity and excitement but also help students envision future possibilities in STEM fields." 

She added that the collaboration with Alcoa strengthened ties between industry and education, providing students with role models and real-world context for their learning.

"These experiences build confidence, foster engagement, and show our students that science isn't just something they learn in a classroom, it's something they can do in real life when they start their careers," Garnett said. 

Through initiatives like this, Alcoa continues to champion STEM education and support the academic growth of local students.