RDA Hunter’s ME Program and partner schools from across the region recently participated in the inaugural Greater Hunter Makers Festival which showcased the Hunter’s world class engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
Students were able to network with and showcase their skills to industry from across the Hunter’s diverse advanced manufacturing sector while Hunter industry gained an insight into the work RDA Hunter is doing to STEM skill its future workforce. The ME Program display featured hands-on activities including virtual reality goggles, LEGO Mindstorms and 3D printing that the ME Program implements in its partner schools to encourage students to study STEM subjects and consider a STEM career.
Reiterating the importance of skilling students in STEM and the employability pathways it opens up, ME Program Director Dr Scott Sleap also delivered a keynote address “Growing the Future STEM capability of the Hunter Region” and moderated a panel session “STEM Education in our Schools” during the Event’s speaking schedule.
“The Makers Festival was a great event for the region. It connected Hunter industry with students who will become the workforce of the future,” said Dr Scott Sleap, Director of RDA Hunter’s ME Program.
“The Festival was a great opportunity for Hunter industry to see the work being undertaken by the ME Program to give students the skills and experience they need for the new and high skill jobs that we’ll see in the advanced manufacturing sector of the future.”