Connecting regional schools with technology in industry: Student Designathon
MEDIA RELEASE
Surat Basin region students and teachers come together to learn from manufacturing experts, and take ideas to concepts for judging by industry leaders.
As the manufacturing industry grows, so does the need for a skilled workforce. The upcoming regional Student “Designathon” provides an opportunity for students and teachers to facilitate the connection between curriculum and real-life implications. For an interested student it aims to help them make informed decisions about postschool training, education and employment.
Proudly co-funded by Arrow Energy and QMI Solutions, the Gateway to Industry Schools Program - Advanced Manufacturing (GISP AM) will host Surat Basin teachers and students at the two-day event delivered by the Arc Hardware Incubator.
Aimed at Years 9-12 students, the “Designathon” gives students a chance to deliver a prototype from conception to creation. Working in teams, with a variety of tools at their disposal (from cutting-edge prototyping technologies to mentorship from practising industry experts), this two-day event aims to mimic the stages of developing a real-life manufacturing start-up.
Projects are designed to focus on agricultural science, technology, engineering, art and design, and mathematics (STEAM) products and solutions, and following the final presentations, a team of experts will judge and award prizes to the best teams.
Gateway to Industry Schools Program manager, Jules McMurtrie, said: “We look forward to providing resources and supporting young individuals to engage in fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and the creative industries so that they can develop the ideas of tomorrow.”
Family, friends, government representatives, industry experts and media are invited to attend the final judging presentation “pitches” by students on Tuesday, 25 February at 1pm.
Arc CEO, Victor Vicario, said “we recognise the importance of inspiring the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to address and solve real-world problems. One of our key focusses is providing youth innovators with the know-how to efficiently commercialise their ideas, to ensure that their business models are sustainable and to maximise the benefit to society as well as the environment.”
Throughout the “Designathon”, teachers will learn about the skills needed to better support students, whilst students themselves will discover what a career in the manufacturing industry entails along with the benefits it can provide.
When:
Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th February (9.00 am-3.00 pm)
Media, family, friends, government representatives and industry experts are invited to attend the final judging presentation “pitches” by students on Tuesday, 25 February at 1pm.
Where: Dalby SHS Trade Training Centre, Nicholson Campus, Dalby
What: Industry experts from Arc Hardware Incubator provide technology and hands-on advanced manufacturing learning opportunities for both teachers and students.
Who: Years 9 to 12 teachers and students from the Surat Basin region.
More about the Student Designathon aims
To stimulates design thinking and entrepreneurship
To teach students about a wide variety of cutting-edge prototyping technologies to create products
To working in teams to encourage the use of communication skills to quickly develop ideas and business propositions
To mimic the stages of developing a real-life start-up and its product
More about the Gateway to Industry Schools Program – Advanced Manufacturing (formally Manufacturing and Engineering)
The GISP AM has been hosted by QMI Solutions since 2009.
The GISP AM is a component of state-wide industry engagement and workforce development strategy to support the long-term development of a highly-skilled workforce in Queensland.
QMI assists to deliver the vision of the Queensland Government committed to growing manufacturing in this state as a critical driver of innovation and productivity in the economy.