Education Minister Nick McKim  announced yesterday that six   firms had won tenders to undertake works at Mountain Heights, Wynyard High, Parklands High, Don College, Prospect High, New Norfolk High, Rosny College, Clarence High and Hobart College under the state government's School Science and Technology Stimulus Package.

Mr McKim said the package would allow the state's students to continuously improve their science results - after Tasmanian students were judged equal-third in this year's National Assessment Programs Science Literacy program.

``We're building a more diverse and sustainable economy for Tasmania, and science and technology skills will be crucial building blocks,'' Mr McKim said.

The schools will receive improvements to classroom benchtops, tap-ware and sinks, gas fittings, safety flooring, preparation rooms, chemical storage, ventilation and fume extraction, tools and equipment, and new storage.

Work is scheduled to begin immediately, with the  majority of construction to take place in January to minimise disruption.