QUT is gaining ground in encouraging more secondary students to choose science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects with a highly-regarded grassroots campaign, says QUT's STEM teacher-in-residence.
Anne Brant is based at The Cube, at QUT's Garden Point campus, which is one of the world's largest digital interactive learning and display spaces.
Ms Brant has recently been named a "Science Champion" by the Queensland Government in recognition of QUT's STEM program which helps to connect secondary students with the university and industry.
Holiday programs for January have been booked out.
She said the program is only in its second year but this year up to 5,340 students from 60 schools participated in workshop programs, up from 4,230 students in 2013.
"It is very hands-on learning and helps students understand why things work a certain way," Ms Brant said.
"For example, complex numbers are an important concept in classroom maths theory but students are often unaware of their importance in engineering.
"One activity helps students learn how to use complex numbers to calculate the theoretical lift of an aerofoil so they can optimise the design of an aircraft.
"They then test their aerofoil in a wind tunnel to determine its efficiency and obtain tangible results by seeing how it actually performs."
Ms Brant said the STEM workshops, which included robotics, chemistry and physics was designed to foster a love of learning in science, maths and engineering fields.
The Australian Industry Group had warned Australia needed to address a "disturbing" lack of young people in schools acquiring STEM skills needed for the nation's prosperity.
It estimated 75 per cent of the fastest growing occupations required STEM skills and knowledge.
Ms Brant said fully-funded Vice-Chancellor's STEM camps had seen a significant contribution from academic staff, professional staff and student ambassadors.
Year 11 students from 96 different schools attended the camp and 93 per cent of the 180 students said in a survey the experience increased their knowledge and understanding in their STEM field of interest.
Ms Brant said programs designed to inspire young females in IT and engineering such as Go For IT gURL and Power of Engineering events had also reported an increase of women considering a STEM career.
A series of lectures that included hands-on workshops for teachers had also made in-roads into engaging more students.
"It is hoped we can get students engaged early on to spark their curiosity at an earlier age so they can make subject decisions that should set them up for a possible career in science," she said.
Anne Brant has taught science and mathematics in both state and independent primary and secondary schools, as well as the International Baccalaureate program.
Queensland Science Minister Ian Walker said science was an area where the best and brightest could change people's lives.
"We have some very impressive young scientists making their way up the ranks in Queensland and the work they are doing will have a huge impact on our future," Mr Walker said.
The highly-popular STEM programs at QUT feature school-based workshops throughout the school term that include learning how to make and assemble robots for ages 10-17.
"We aim to blur the barrier between theory and practice to see a tangible result from what it is the students are learning," Ms Brant said.
"It is hoped students who are interested in STEM studies early then go on to choose to study in this field at university."
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Media contacts:
Debra Nowland, QUT media officer (Mon/Wed/Thur), 07 3138 1150 or media@qut.edu.au
After hours, Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901
