Computer science and robotics can lead to a world of opportunities. But you don’t have to just be interested in them to make the most of them - Google, for example, employs lots of people who come from all kinds of backgrounds: people who love everything from music, to medicine, to motors!

At Google, of course, we do love technology, and we think that computer science will be a key part of the future of everything from education and health to government, transportation - even music and art!

Google's Sally-Ann Williams (left) with Senator Michaelia Cash (centre-left) and Schools Plus CEO Rosemary Conn (centre-right) get a robotics demonstration from students at Balga Senior High School.

So we were thrilled to announce today - at an event attended by Senator the Honourable Michaelia Cash, Federal Minister for Jobs and Innovation - that we have partnered with the nonprofit organisation Schools Plus to support a STEM-themed after school program and Robotics Club at Perth’s Balga Senior High School.

We’re providing $25,000 in funding as well as mentoring and professional development with some of our amazing Google colleagues as Balga SHS aims to introduce at least two hours' a week of STEM education for its Year Seven students.

Balga SHS aims to introduce at least two hours' a week of STEM education for its Year Seven students.

Over the past fifteen years, Google and its 1,300+ employees have partnered with a number of nonprofit organisations across the country, and we look forward to working with Schools Plus, a group backed by David Gonski and other prominent Australians that calls for a stronger focus on philanthropy in education.

We've long been supporters of computer science and STEM education in Australia. Future innovations and inventions in Australia will come from students gaining skills in computer science today, and blending that with other disciplines to solve challenges the world faces now, and in the future.

We’re grateful to Schools Plus for bringing this exciting opportunity to us and we can’t wait to work with the Balga kids and teachers to do great things with technology.

Google, Schools Plus and Balga announced the funding and additional support at an assembly attended by staff and students.

Posted by Sally-Ann Williams, Engineering and Community Outreach Manager, Google Australia