From astrophysics and the air force to iPads and a virtual reef ... Queensland teenagers have found inspiration for their future education and careers during a four-day winter school at QUT in Brisbane.
The Indigenous Australian Science and Infrastructure Development (SID) Winter School attracted 20 Year 10 and 11 students from across south-east Queensland during the school holidays.
It's the third annual winter school aimed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teens to be held at QUT and jointly hosted by the university's Oodgeroo Unit and global professional services consultancy WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff.
QUT Oodgeroo Unit director Professor Anita Lee Hong said the high schoolers had done a mix of campus and field activities.
"Two of the highlights were visiting the Royal Australian Air Force's RAAF Base at Amberley, and being 'engineers, planners and consultants' for a day at the WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff office in Brisbane," she said.
The Royal Australian Air Force was proud to sponsor the event with a half-day visit to the RAAF Base Amberley, nearp Ipswich south-west of Brisbane.
** To view photos of the visit, click here. **
Warrant Officer Gary Thompson, 23 Squadron Warrant Officer, said that he hoped to see many of the participants consider a career in the Australian Defence Force.
"While at RAAF Base Amberley, students were given a tour of a C-17A Globemaster aircraft, and experienced a display of Air Force security capability," he said.
"They also had a tour of an air traffic control tower, in which they were able to engage with Joint Battlefield Airspace Controllers, witnessing them conducting operations, and spoke with Indigenous Air Force personnel."
WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff Regional Director for Queensland Gerard Ryan said the company was honoured to host the students this year.
"We were encouraged by their creative thinking and enthusiasm as they tackled real-life design and infrastructure challenges we'd set for them," he said.
"There are definitely some budding professionals in this year's winter school."
Professor Lee Hong said the teenagers had met QUT researchers and lecturers who shared their expertise in astrophysics and other areas.
"They also explored our Gardens Point campus and the Virtual Reef at The Cube, and took part in group challenges," she said.
"One of the most inspiring parts of the winter school was the opportunity to hear from other students from similar backgrounds who are already studying at QUT. These older students were able to share stories about their journeys to university and what they have gained and achieved during their time here.
"The SID Winter School aims to increase access and participation in higher education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students by 'demystifying' university and providing first-hand information about the variety of courses, careers and pathways that are available.
"Camps of this nature have proven to have a positive and lasting effect on students, their families and ultimately their communities by improving access to education which flows on to create improved employment, economic and social outcomes."
Study and career areas promoted by the winter school included biological sciences, physics, chemistry, earth sciences, information technology, environmental sciences, information technology, engineering, urban development and planning, and stakeholder engagement.
Schools to take part in the SID Winter School included Glasshouse Christian College, St Mary's College Ipswich, Grace Lutheran College Rothwell, Laidley State High School, Deception Bay Flexible Learning Centre, St John Fisher College Bracken Ridge, St Edmunds College Ipswich, Faith Lutheran College Plainland, North Lakes State College, Morayfield State High School, Pine Rivers State High School and Kilcoy State High School.
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and CareerTrackers also joined the camp as event sponsors in 2015.
Media contact: Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer, 07 3138 9449 or media@qut.edu.au
