To celebrate their participation in the recent STEM Advanced Manufacturing Future Skills School Program, primary and secondary students from Moreton Bay, Toowoomba/Darling Downs region and the Gold Coast in Queensland came together last week for a series of local showcase events.
The STEM Advanced Manufacturing Future Skills School Program was delivered over terms 3-4, 2024 by Makers Empire, in partnership with Queensland Manufacturing Hubs and the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development. The program was designed to increase awareness of the role manufacturing plays in our daily lives, the depth and breadth of local industry, and create awareness of career opportunities and pathways in the manufacturing industry, and an understanding of the skills and experiences required.
The participating Queensland schools received a package worth approximately $7,500 including: the participation of regional teachers in the accredited Makers Empire Learning By Design program with guest speakers from the advanced manufacturing industry, site visit to local manufacturers; a 3-years Makers Empire School Subscription; an advanced manufacturing-themed challenge course including some of the exciting projects and jobs in the Queensland advanced manufacturing industry; supply of a Flashforge 3D printer and PLA filament to participating schools; and hospitality for teacher Professional Development and student showcase days.
At the recent showcases held in each region, students shared what they had learned about advanced manufacturing and local manufacturing companies and their possible solutions to manufacturing industry challenges that they worked on with industry partners.
Students took turns both presenting their designed solutions and then visiting other booths and learning about other students’ projects. They could also vote on their favourite booths for the Peer Award prize. Students also presented their solutions to invited industry guests who were assessing all the students’ work for the Industry Award Prize.
The schools participating in the Towoomba/Darling Downs region were St Ursula’s College Toowoomba, Chinchilla State High School, Warwick State High School, St Mary’s College Toowoomba, Chinchilla Christian College, Dalby South State School, Vale View State School, Meringandan State School, Tara Shire College, Centenary Heights State High School, Chinchilla State School and Brigalow State School.
Many thanks our industry judges: Michele Berkhout from TAFE Queensland South West; Professor Matt Richardson from iLAuNCH Trailblazer Associate; Louise McMahon from MFE; Linda Sexton and Martin Leggat from New Hope Group; and Mick Tighe from 4×4 Outdoor Group.
anJunior Secondary School Winners:
Primary School Winners:
Many thanks to Russell Minerals Equipment for hosting an industry site visit as part of the professional development days and to The Chronicle and the ABC Radio for covering the event.
The Gold Coast schools participating were The Southport School, Josiah College, St Vincent’s Primary School, Guardian Angels Primary School, Hillcrest Christian College, Tamborine Mountain State High School, Keebra Park State High School, Helensvale State High School, Silkwood School, Marymount College, Beenleigh State High School, Trinity Lutheran College, Coombabah State High School, Queensland Academy for Health Sciences, and Foxwell State Secondary College.
Many thanks to our industry judges: Paul Meyer from Triple M Tray Bodies; Kaleena De Voigt from Marine Airflow; Matt Gray from Mayneline; James McGrath from RDM Group; Duncan Robbie from Metal Sign & Label Pty Ltd; Georgi Tomlinson from Manufacturing Skills Queensland; David Thompson from the Queensland Department of Education; Tom Triandafyllou from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development.
Primary School Winners:
Junior Secondary School Winners
Senior Secondary School Winners:
Many thanks to AMEC for hosting an industry site visit as part of the professional development days.
The secondary schools in Moreton Bay participating were Narangba Valley State High School, Mt Maria College Petrie, Bray Park State High School, Murrumba State Secondary College, Mango Hill State Secondary College, Dakabin State High School, Bribie Island State High School, Caboolture State High School, and Albany Creek State High School.
Many thanks to our industry judges: James Brycker from Bosscap Group; Greg Smyth from TPS; Frank Faller from Elexon Electronics; James Windsor from Fibre King; Andrew Holmes from Custom Lithium; and Gil Harkness from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development.
Junior Secondary School Winners:
Industry Award Winner: Team 3 – Bray Park State High School. Students created sustainable, reusable and recyclable whiteboard markers and stationery supplies
Industry Award Winner: Narangba Valley State High School.
Peer Prize Winner: Team 2 Bribie Island State High School. Students designed a system for keeping drinks safe and preventing drink spiking
Senior Secondary School Winners:
Many thanks to Elexon Electronics for hosting an industry site visit as part of the professional development days.
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