Pictured: Minister Jennifer Rankine with a submarine model presented by Re-Engineering Australia is pictured with Andrew McCauley (left) of SAAB and David Gordon (right) of ASC.
Hon Jennifer Rankine MP, Minister for Education and Child Development in South Australia recently met with industry partners of the Future Submarine Technology Challenge (SUBS in Schools) program.
Andrew McCauley, Head of Discipline Software and Innovation at Saab Australia Pty Ltd and David Gordon, GM – Project Management Office, ASC Pty Ltd update the Minister on the SUBS in Schools program and their involvement in mentoring students. They also presented the Minister with an example of the work the students are creating.
SUBS in Schools is sponsored by the Defence Materiel Organisation and a number of defence industry participants. The program has students creating a virtual company and designing and building a small working submarine. The students then have to present to a panel of judges from the defence industry, their design innovations.
SUBS in Schools is the most complex Science, Technology, Engineering & Math’s (STEM) project attempted in schools. Students will have the opportunity to challenge and extend their employability skills, readying them for their transition to work. Given the success Australia Students have achieved on the internationally stage with programs such as F1inSchools, SUBS in Schools should present few issues that our bright young students won’t be able to solve.
Minister Rankine
Minister Rankine was keen to have the program rolled out to more schools in South Australia, particularly those in developing regions. “South Australia is certainly keen to provide its students with the best educational opportunities available”. “Complex STEM projects such as SUBS in Schools provide career-relevant projects that students connect and engage with.” “Although talent is universal, opportunity is not, and I am keen, with the support of industry, to see more students across the State having access to this amazing educational opportunity.” said the Minister.
ASC, Australia’s national submarine platform system integrator provides maintenance for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) fleet of six Collins Class submarines in both Adelaide and Perth. “Our heritage as a submarine builder and maintainer and the largest Australian-owned defence company means ASC is pleased to be sharing our knowledge and experience by supporting and mentoring the schools and students taking part in this exciting project,’’ Mr Gordon said.
“We are naturally biased about the value, importance and sophistication of submarines – a program such as this will encourage students to investigate and understand the range of technologies that are needed to operate a submarine safely, to pursue their own design and ultimately build their own radio-controlled submarine.
“ASC believes the project is a great opportunity for promoting STEM-subjects to students and demonstrating the pathways into a career in submarines and other technically complex projects. ASC looks forward to seeing the success of the students and their finished submarines”.
“Saab is pleased to be able to support the Future Submarine Technology Challenge and looks forward to interacting with staff and students in this exciting pilot program. Saab has long been involved with the Collins class submarine and its interest in the Australian future submarine project continues with its recent acquisition of TKMS AB.
Saab continues to support school and university programs through its Women in Engineering Scholarships and Graduate program, and is excited to be promoting Women in Engineering by partnering with St Peter’s Girl’s School in this future STEM project. STEM projects of this type are important to the company as they encourage the next generation of engineers, scientists and operators who will support the introduction of the future submarines into service and throughout their service life.” Said Andrew McCauley, Head of Discipline Software and Innovation Saab Australia Pty Ltd.
Program Roll Out
The long-term goal of all the programs offered by Re-Engineering Australia is to provide students with an understanding of how interesting and exciting STEM education pathways can be. While the pilot phase of SUBS in Schools is in the final phase, schools are now being sought to register their interest in participating in the project, which will officially roll out in 2015.
For more information about the SUBS in Schools or to register your interest please make contact at info@rea.org.au or by giving us a call on 1300 204 478 or 02 9634 2144.
Industry Supporters
