A company has been formed with the primary objective to deliver these activities at no cost to all primary and secondary schools in the Mid Coast area. A number of scientific activities have been designed and will be tested with the Dungog High School.

Rotary used to take part and run the Science and Engineering Challenge in partnership with the University of Newcastle.

"The university has increased the costs of this program so now it is unaffordable for the schools in our area, many of which are classified as disadvantaged," Neil Hanington, community services director with the Rotary Club of Taree, said.

The company, RYSTEM Engagement Midcoast Inc - Rural Youth Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, was formed with the Rotary clubs of Dungog , Gloucester, Great Lakes, Lower MidCoast, Taree, Taree on Manning, Taree North and Wingham as the shareholders with Taree Rotary's community services director acting as the public officer.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: