Campbelltown STEM students showcase projects
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The work of some of Campbelltown’s brightest young science, technology, engineering and mathematical minds was showcased to local industry, Council leaders and their peers at the CSIRO Generation STEM Showcase last week.
The event at the Campbelltown Arts Centre saw a number of projects, which the students have been working on throughout the year, placed on display for the first time.
Local schools involved in the project include Ingleburn High School, Macquarie Fields HS, Sarah Redfern HS, Robert Townson HS, Thomas Reddall HS and Macarthur Adventist College.
“The projects on display were a great example of the talent we have in our community and the success of our local schools in equipping students with the skills needed for the future,” Mayor George Brticevic said.
“We are proud to be a partner in this project to help our young people equip themselves to take advantage of the thousands of jobs which will flow from the development of the Western Sydney Airport and surrounding job precincts,” Cr Brticevic said.
Earlier this year, Council committed to supporting this State Government initiative and partnered with CSIRO in a three-year agreement to deliver Generation STEM in local high schools through the Community Partnerships program.
CSIRO Education and Outreach Director Mary Mulcahy said the Community Partnerships program was the first to be rolled out through the Generation STEM initiative and designed to encourage more students to take up STEM at school and pursue STEM-related jobs.
“Major developments in Western Sydney, including the Western Sydney Airport, will generate up to 200,000 local jobs,” she said.
“By partnering with local government and industry, Generation STEM grows STEM skills in young people so they can take advantage of this opportunity, right here in Western Sydney.”
Teacher-librarian, Katherine Hannaford teaches STEM at Macquarie Fields High School after finding out about the program at an information session held by Council earlier this year.
Local industry groups provided a range of issues they were facing and she quickly set her year 10 students to work to solve their problems.
"Being able to present issues and asking students to come up with solutions is a great way to bring inquiry-based learning into the classroom. We had students sourcing assistance from all over the school,” she said.
"Students have also learned how to budget and order materials and what to do when they don't show up which is a valuable skill for the workforce."