They are our nation's great STEM hopes and a key to our collective future success and this week they are gathering at QUT in Brisbane for the nation's biggest STEM camp.
In an Australian first, the inaugural QUT Vice-Chancellor's STEM Camp has united some of the brightest school minds from across Brisbane and regional Queensland who all share a passion for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
The event will take part at QUT, which was last week announced Australia's top young university, and utilise the world-class STEM facilities of its new $230 million Science and Engineering Centre, including the Cube.
The five-day experience will see 121 Year 11 students test-drive their university ambitions and apply their creativity and investigative skills to team-based challenges on global issues related to energy, food, the environment, IT and security.
In addition to QUT experts, some of Queensland's top engineers, architects, scientists and IT leaders are taking part to mentor the students through the week. Queensland Chief Scientist Geoff Garrett will also address the camp on the final day.
Entry to the camp was hotly contested.
"This is QUT's first Vice-Chancellor's STEM Camp and we have been overwhelmed by the number and quality of applications from schools around Brisbane and across Queensland," said QUT's Executive Dean of Science and Engineering, Professor Martin Betts.
"It's no secret that Australia urgently needs more bright young people to study science, technology, engineering and maths at a university level and go on to work in these areas which are so critical to global prosperity and security.
"This camp is a great opportunity for Year 11 students to get a better understanding of degrees and careers in STEM fields and meet professionals already in those industries, including the ABCs 'Surfing Scientist' Ruben Meerman and Power of Engineering founder Felicity Briody."
The STEM camp - which is fully-funded by QUT - will be held from June 24 to 28 at the university's Gardens Point campus.
The technology that will, literally, be at their fingertips includes one of the world's largest digital interactive learning and display spaces. The Cube is a two-storey high digital marvel that features 14 high-definition projectors and over 40 multi-touch screens.
The team projects include traffic data analysis using Bluetooth devices, astrophysics using a 3D space flight simulator, creating housing solutions after natural disasters, using real-time information and social networks to reduce peak electricity consumption, hands-on lab work manufacturing pharmaceutical tablets and an introduction to robot design, construction and programming.
Students will end their STEM camp experience with a lunch with QUT's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Coaldrake, on the final day.
Fact sheets:
STEM Camp program
Visiting industry leaders list
Team projects list
Brisbane schools list
Regional schools list
Media contact: Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer, 07 3138 9449 (Mon & Thurs) or media@qut.edu.au (Mon-Fri)
Media notes: Media are welcome to attend the camp. The best photo/vision opportunities will be during team projects from Tuesday afternoon to Friday morning, and during the industry engagement sessions. Please see the program and contact media@qut.edu.au for details, including event access and parking arrangements.
