In a first for the Northern Territory, secondary students will be able to have practical experience and first-hand access to industry under a new program called the ‘sySTEMic Collaboration.’
Over 80 students, engineering professionals and government representatives helped launch the pilot initiative last Monday 30 July in the newly-built $20 Million STEAM Building at Taminmin College.
For those unaware, the sySTEMic Collaboration (a result of an official partnership between NT government and Engineers Australia) aims to increase the amount of NT youth studying maths, science, engineering and technology as a bridge to create future engineers.
The sySTEMic Collaboration model has a number of key action points, including:
- Mentoring and support delivered by Engineering industries
- Links to future employment
- Innovative approaches to curriculum and learning
- Subject credit towards NTCET
The Minister of Education, Hon. Selena Ubio MLA, acknowledged the sySTEMic Collaboration is an initiative worth supporting:
“We know that investing in STEM programs is crucial for preparing our children for the jobs of the future, as about 75% of the fastest growing occupations require STEM skills and knowledge. The Territory Labor Government will always invest in education because it is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do for our future.”
Minister Ubio isn’t the only government official that endorses the sySTEMic Collaboration. Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler stated:
“We are committed to ensuring future generations of young Territorians have the skills to equip them for the workforce of the 21st Century and Engineers Australia is to be commended for instigating this program to help boost employment pathways to our vital infrastructure fields.”
Currently, only 6% of girls and 11% of boys in Year 12 study Advanced Maths nation-wide.
Engineers Australia Northern General Manager, Mark Monaghan, says the sySTEMic Collaboration will assist in combating this statistic.
“Engineers Australia is committed to building opportunities for young people to engage in STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) in the Northern Territory,” Mr Monaghan said.
“If the Territory is to produce innovative solutions to unique problems, it needs to encourage young people to choose Maths and Science. These are the subjects needed for much of our future workforce. The Territory’s engineering companies are committed to helping build these opportunities, and the sySTEMic Collaboration is a great example of this.”
In the coming months, students from Taminmin College will visit industry partner sites to take part in problem-solving of real community issues, they will work closely with industry mentors, and present their solutions to their school, parents and the community.
Engineers Australia would like to thank supporters of the sySTEMic Collaboration; The NT Government Department of Education, Territory Generation, Ichthys LNG Project, GHD and McArthur River Mine, BMD ,EEPM, Byrne Consultants, Jacobs, Lucid Consulting, Pritchard Francis, Charles Darwin University, Defence Force Recruiting and Litchfield Shire.
The sySTEMic Collaboration wouldn't be possible without the support of our financial partners:
