STEM Community Partnerships Program

[Music plays and a split circle appears and photos of different CSIRO activities flash through in either side of the circle and then the circle morphs into the CSIRO logo]

[Image changes to show Ruth Carr talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show students at work in a classroom, and text appears: Ruth Carr, CSIRO Director of Education and Outreach]

Ruth Carr: STEM Community Partnerships Programme is really special because it connects local students with their local industry, making STEM real.

[Images flash through of a 3D printer in operation, a model bus moving around a model airport, views of a female in conversation with a group of students, and some students at work]

And to develop those STEM skills, those STEM capabilities in young people will really help create our future problem solvers and innovators.

[Image changes to show David Wright talking to the camera, and text appears: David Wright, Managing Director, Aqua Ventures]

David Wright: So what Generation STEM is doing is giving younger people an experience in STEM.

[Images move through of a rear and then facing view of two students walking through a classroom, a female student working on a computer, and views of a 3D printer at work]

It’s allowing to put it in the context of problems to be solved and seeing how they can use STEM to solve those problems.

[Images move through to show a close view of a project in a student’s hands, a 3D printer in operation, and a student pointing to a 3D animation model on a screen]

The idea is not to in Gen STEM teach people maths, or teach people engineering.

[Images move through to show a student watching a 3D printer, a 3D model being printed, a student operating a robotic vehicle while another watches, and the students laughing as they watch]

It’s about teach them how to solve problems and what tools they could use to solve those problems, but do that in an experience way, not in a theoretical way.

[Images move through of a student working on a 3D model animation on a computer]

They’re actually getting their hands dirty and that’s the beauty of the programme.

[Image changes to show Anna Lau talking to the camera, and text appears: Anna Lau, CSIRO Generation STEM Programme Manager]

Anna Lau: Students at STEM Community Partnerships Programme, students in Year 7 to Year 10 engage in enquiry based projects looking at solving real world challenges faced by their local community.

[Images move through to show the Western Sydney International Airport Information Hub, and then students looking at the various displays in the Information Hub]

Ruth Carr: In addition to these enquiry projects there are also a range of different activities that are engaging and designed to expose students to what STEM looks like outside the classroom in the real world.

[Images move through to show aerial views of the airport site, cranes and earthmoving machines at work on site, and students entering the Information Hub building, and looking at a screen display]

So, we work with businesses in the local area to come up with site visits, work experience opportunities, careers events, saving time for teachers in connecting to those businesses themselves, but also empowering teachers to build and foster those connections over time.

[Image changes to show Tania Sarafian talking to the camera, and text appears: Tania Sarafian, CSIRO Programme Delivery Manager]

Tania Sarafian: What students are also gaining is this connection to community, but connection to real world social issues.

[Images move through to show students at the Generation STEM event displaying models and in conversations with people about their projects]

They feel like they’re making a difference, making a difference for their own lives now but also that of the future.

[Images continue to move through to show various groups of students displaying their projects and talking with visitors at the event, and the camera shows various view of the projects too]

And in combination with the STEM skills that they’re developing they’re ready to enter into careers where they can actually be solving those problems in the future as well.

[Images move through to show Lisa Greenlees talking to the camera, an aerial view looking down on the airport site, and students at the Information Hub in the airport, and text appears: Lisa Greenlees, Science Teacher, Baulkham Hills High School]

Lisa Greenlees: The link with CSIRO has been absolutely phenomenal in giving us the inspiration and opportunity to visit places like this and immerse the students in an experience with linking science, technology, and engineering and maths.

[Images move through of a rear view of students watching a simulated plane landing on a screen, a student operating a handheld remote controller, and students watching a video showing the airport site]

The STEM Community Partnership Programme has been absolutely essential in showing schools and students the links between the different subject areas

[Images flash through to show a student drawing a diagram and then laughing, the model next to the actual drawing, students working on an animation project, and a student taking notes]

so that science, technology, engineering and maths are brought together under one banner that the students can see, and be linked with what’s happening around them.

[Music plays, and the image changes to show the SIEF and NSW Government logos, and text appears: Generation STEM is managed by CSIRO and made possible through the NSW Government’s $25 million endowment to the Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF)]

[New text appears: www.csiro.au/generationstem]

[Image changes to show the CSIRO logo on a white screen, and text appears: CSIRO, Australia’s National Science Agency]

[Music plays and a split circle appears and photographs of various CSIRO activities are shown in either side and then the circle morphs into the CSIRO logo]

 

[Image changes to show Narelle Archer talking to the camera, and text appears: Narelle Archer, Principal, Mount St Joseph Catholic College Milperra]

 

Narelle Archer: We have loved being a part of the CSIRO STEM Community Partnership Programme.

 

[Image changes to show a rear and then facing view of two female students walking in a classroom, and then the image changes to show a rear view of a female student working on a computer]

 

It’s brought excitement to the staff.

 

[Images move through of a close view of a 3D printer in operation, and then the image changes to show a close view of the drawing the machine is working on]

 

They’ve been able to really think outside the square and have a bit of fun.

 

[Image changes to show Lauren Klein talking to the camera, and text appears: Lauren Klein, Leader – Instructional Specialist, Mount St Joseph Catholic College Milperra]

 

Lauren Klein: Our students have such curiosity and such creativity and this has allowed them to shine.

 

[Image changes to show students working on a 3D printer, and then the image changes to show two of the female students in conversation]

 

I’ve loved watching them create solutions to problems.

 

[Images move through of a rear, facing and then side view of Calvin walking near school buildings, and then the image changes to show Calvin talking to the camera and Wilson listening, and text appears: Calvin, Student John Edmondson High School, Wilson, Student John Edmondson High School]

 

Calvin: STEM for me is helping our community be more sustainable and understanding that STEM is really vital in everyone’s lives.

 

[Images move through of Calvin working on a computer, and the camera zooms in on the computer screen]

 

We just can find solutions everywhere. We just have to look.

 

[Images move through to show a male student working on a computer, and then the image changes to show Nikie talking to the camera on the left and Shafeeya listening on the right, and text appears: Nikie, Student, Sarah Redfern High School, Shafeeya, Student, Sarah Redfern High School]

 

Nikie: It’s so exciting to live in a STEM and a technologically driven world, especially as young people today where we interact with it everyday but we don’t really know the real mechanics behind it and how it works.

 

[Images move through of a large screen mounted on a wall, and then camera zooms in on the screen showing a building type project on the screen]

 

So, it was really exciting to have that opportunity and it was thrilling to experience that.

 

[Images move through of a group of students in conversation with a mentor, and the camera zooms in on the students, and then the image changes to show two male students walking towards the camera]

 

See, I think the most exciting thing about the project overall is that we were able to collaborate with not only our classmates but also talk to many of the people outside our usual social circle.

 

[Camera zooms in on the male students’ faces, and then the camera zooms out to show the two male students posing for a photo, and then the image changes to show a close view of a 3D printer]

 

You know, it was great gathering all perspectives and also incorporating our own to create a very innovative and accommodating solution for everybody.

 

[Images move through to show a female student watching a 3D printer at work, a close view of the printer in operation, and then Lauren Klein talking to the camera]

 

Lauren Klein: Having a connection with industry it means that they see it as real and they see it as a possibility for their future.

 

[Image changes to show Christopher Guthrie talking to the camera, and text appears: Christopher Guthrie, Coordinator Business Development, Liverpool City Council]

 

Christopher Guthrie: It provides students with the opportunity to talk directly with businesses, be mentored by businesses.

 

[Images move through to show two female students working with a robotic model vehicle, and the camera zooms in on the vehicle]

 

We’re really paving the way to future generations with this programme.

 

[Image changes to show Charles Elbayeh talking to the camera, and text appears: Charles Elbayeh, National Product Manger Equipment, Lincoln Electric]

 

Charles Elbayeh: Being a mentor, I really hope that I can give the students a really good understanding of industry.

 

[Images move through of a female student operating a controller, a close vehicle of the robotic vehicle she is operating, and the two female students laughing together as they watch the vehicle]

 

It allows the students to become more engaged in schools and solve problems that are actually relevant to our community.

 

[Images move through of a male student working on a computer with a building programme, a large screen mounted on the wall, and the student working at the computer]

 

Nikie: I think after leaving this project this has really help me ease into the world of STEM.

 

[Image changes to show Nikie talking to the camera while Shafeeyah listens]

 

So, it’s definitely something that I’ll consider in the future.

 

[Image changes to show Joanne on the left talking to the camera and Lily listening on the right, and text appears: Joanne, Student, Mount St Joseph Catholic College Milperra, Lily, Student, Mount St Joseph Catholic College Milperra]

 

Joanne: I would love to consider a career in STEM because

 

[Images move through of a student drawing a diagram, the student smiling as she looks down, and an actual model next to a drawing of the model]

 

I would love to be part of the future generation that contributes a lot to science.

 

[Image changes to show Calvin talking to the camera while Wilson listens on the right]

 

Calvin: STEM is the most vital thing you could ever have.

 

[Images move through of students looking at a building programme on a computer screen and pointing to the screen]

 

With an understanding of STEM the future is limitless.

 

[Images move through to show Lauren talking to the camera, a building programme on the computer screen, two students looking at the screen, and a group of students working together at a table]

 

Lauren Klein: STEM is real and it shows them that science and maths, engineering and technology don’t stand alone.

 

[Image changes to show Charles talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show a student writing in a workbook]

 

Charles Elbayeh: Without the next generation of scientists and engineers we’re not going to grow.

 

[Images move through of close view of the student at work]

 

So, it’s so important that we teach and inspire the next generation.

 

[Image changes to show Cr Margaret Chivers talking to the camera, and text appears: Cr Margaret Chivers, Councillor Campbelltown City Council]

 

Cr. Margaret Chivers: The STEM Community Partnership Programme is exciting.

 

[Images move through of Margaret talking to students while a hydrogen fuel cell buss model moves around a track, a close view of the students listening, and a close view of Margaret talking]

 

It embodies hope and it’s hope for our future

 

[Images move through of Margaret talking to the students, two female students working at a table, and a close view of a 3D printer in operation]

 

and when you talk to the, to the students who have taken part in this STEM project they are truly excited about the future and so that, that really excites me.

 

[Images move through of two female students looking at a 3D printed model, a male student demonstrating to Margaret and other students, and Shafeeyah talking while the other students listen]

 

What I loved about it were there were, it wasn’t gender heavy.

 

[Images move through of Nikie talking while the other students and Margaret listen]

 

There were boys and there were girls and they, and there was no difference to their passion.

 

[Image changes to show a group of students walking towards the camera, and then the image changes to show Margaret talking to the camera]

 

They were concerned about their home. I, I just think our future is in very, very safe and capable hands.

 

[Music plays and the image changes to show a white screen, and the NSW Government and the SIEF logos and text appears: Generation STEM is managed by CSIRO and made possible by an endowment from the NSW Government to the Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF)]

 

[Image changes to show new text: www.csiro.au/generationstem]

 

[Image changes to show the CSIRO logo and text appears: CSIRO, Australia’s innovation catalyst]

 

 

 

 

[Image of high school students walking into Generation STEM showcase event at Campbelltown Arts Centre, Sydney]
[Image changes to shot of Generation STEM banner at showcase event]
[Image changes to a small robotic vehicle moving around a track]
[Image changes to students smiling with certificates]
[Image changes to Mary Mulcahy, Director, CSIRO Education and Outreach, speaking to camera]

The STEM Community Partnerships Program allows students to come up with an idea or a challenge that they've either identified themselves or that industry or local government has identified as a challenge for the future.

[Image changes to students talking about their projects while Mary continues to speak]

They then get an opportunity to investigate that and follow their own enquiry process to come up with a solution for it.

[Image changes to Mary as she continues to speak]

They also build resilience, they learn about teamwork, they learn about communication.

They learn about getting on with each other and coming up with an answer to a problem and having a product at the end.

[Image changes to a close-up of a project about water security]
[Image changes to photographer taking image of smiling students as Maice Hashem, a student from James Busby High School, starts her voiceover]
[Image changes to Maice Hashem speaking to camera]

Our project is an aeroponic desalinator, which works to challenge the water crisis and also we're thinking of combining it with our hydroelectric machine that was created by our other classmates to generate a system that was both sustainable with water and energy.

[Image changes to reverse osmosis demonstration and students looking at their projects as Maice continues speaking]
[Image changes back to Maice talking to camera]

Before we started this project, we thought of science as a pretty one-way path but we found out there were a lot of different branches and a lot of different people and a lot of different types of sciences worked together to make a lot of different types of projects.

[Image changes to people walking around the showcase event]
[Image changes to students posing for a photo]
[Image changes to students shining a torch on a solar panel project]
[Image changes to sun project and desalination project displays]
[Image changes back to Maice talking to camera]

I'm definitely considering something to do with science in the future, in my career path.

[Image changes to crowd of people watching speech by Mayor Wendy Waller from Liverpool City Council, as Wendy starts her voiceover]
[Image changes to Wendy speaking to camera]

What it means for Liverpool Council having this particular STEM project in the area is we're giving kids an opportunity to experiment with science and maths.

The future jobs that are out there - we don't know what they are, some of them - and so these sort of skills will be needed.

[Image changes to people watching a presentation as Ron Moore, General Manager, Camden Council, starts his voiceover]
[Image changes to STEM project close-ups]
[Image changes to Ron Moore, General Manager, Camden Council, speaking to camera]

Broadly, the thing that has impressed me most amongst the students is the practical nature of the challenge and the innovative way they've approached the solutions.

[Image changes to close-ups of projects about agriculture]

Both water cleanliness and food security and food production are critical things for the Camden local government area, which is one of the fastest growing local government areas in Australia.

[Image changes to Adriana Care, Chair, Camden Region Economic Taskforce on stage as her voiceover begins]
[Image changes to Adriana Care speaking to camera]

There were actually two projects that I looked at tonight from local students in Camden, where they actually looked at the problem in a very different way and what impressed me was that they basically looked outside the limits and what they can do to resolve the water and drought issue in Australia.

[Image changes to close-ups of STEM projects]
[Image changes to people walking into the Generation STEM showcase event]
[Image of students explaining their projects to people as Katherine Hannaford, Teacher and School Learning Innovator from Macquarie Fields High School begins her voiceover]
[Image changes to Katherine Hannaford speaking to camera]

I've been really enjoying seeing all the schools' projects today. I really am so impressed by the diversity of projects from all the different schools. Also, of course, I love what my students were able to create.
[Image of students explaining their projects to people]

They were so excited when they were being asked by councillors deeper questions and they would say: "Oh, I really like that. You explain more about it - I want to take it and show it to my council."

[Image changes to students describing their projects]

Because all of a sudden, what they had created in classroom had become a real thing that could actually benefit our community.

[Image changes to Kritika Kharel, Student, Macquarie Fields High School, speaking to camera]

We had a scenario and we really wanted to do something about energy, so we decided to use grey water in the house and create hydro-electricity for the entire household. It's very efficient and cheap and good for the environment as well.

[Image changes to Kritika and her classmates talking about their project]

I really like doing group work and collaborating with my team members and I also like learning new things about hydro-electricity and all these different scenarios and things to improve in Campbelltown.

[Image changes to Kritika to finish her voiceover]
[Image changes to close-ups of STEM projects]

[Image changes to Margaret Chivers, Campbelltown City Council, speaking to students as her voiceover begins]

What excited me about tonight was talking to the students and they were talking about STEM from their heart and not just their brains.

[Image changes to Margaret Chivers speaking to camera]

[Image changes back to Margaret talking to students]

The fact that when I asked them questions they gave me an answer that was STEM-based but then, when I probed, they talked about passion, they talked about vision and they talked about opportunity.

[Image changes to people enjoying the Generation STEM showcase]
[Image changes to a group of students and leaders posing for a photo]
[Image changes to wording on screen. “Generation STEM is managed by CSIRO and made possible by an endowment from the NSW Government to the Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF).” SIEF and NSW Government logso appear. Final image displays web address www.csiro.au/generationstem]