Subs in Schools

The Re-Engineering Australia Foundation unique applied learning programs, have put the cool back into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Their programs link schools, industry, TAFE, universities and parents in a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment focused on attracting students to take up STEM based subjects at school and careers after leaving school.

Subs in Schools is an innovative and exciting program to be involved in. It combines elements of many subjects and has a practical hands-on approach with diversity to allow everyone to find their strengths, have an opportunity to be successful or challenge themselves with an area new to them.

The project promotes innovation and the development of entrepreneurship, with a focus on building on life and employability skills. Our boys developed skills directly transferable to industry roles. These skills include communication, collaboration, presentation, teamwork and entrepreneurship, all highly sought after skills by industry and invaluable in business environments.

Last week a team of five Year 8 boys, known as Nautilus XIX, represented the School at the state final this year, at the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. They were required to submit three main deliverables:

• Project Portfolios, covering both Enterprise and Engineering
• Scale Model, design and manufacture a working scale model of a ROV, which should be able to dive, manoeuvre and carry out a number of tasks within 10 minutes
• Verbal Presentation, covering their team objectives, a description of their product, individual team contribution and collaboration, learning outcomes and overall clarity in 8 minutes.

Senator Rex Patrick (an ex-submariner) volunteered to be one of the judges and spent considerable time engaging with the students. Although our team didn’t come place in the main competition, they were awarded first place for outstanding industry collaboration, first place for innovation and third place for best engineered. The boys represented the School with pride and honour throughout the challenge.

I am very grateful to our industry partner, Saab Technologies, and in particular the two mentors Konrad Groenveld and Ed Gray for assisting and supporting our boys. As the teacher of the program, I have thrived on the challenge and truly enjoyed the program and its potential for development in 2020.

Carmen Bester
Coordinator of Students with Diverse Learning Needs