Immersive tech for STEM school

LEARNING about skills of the future is only getting more exciting and interactive for secondary students engaged in science, technology, engineering and maths at Ballarat Tech School.

Run by Federation University and TAFE, the facility is receiving a bundle of state-of-the-art educational equipment aimed at further engaging young minds.

Enough virtual reality headsets for an entire class, indoor-outdoor drones, Thermomix machines, little humanoid robots, and programmable robotics kits will all be purchased with assistance from the State Government’s Tech School Equipment Renewal Fund.

Ballarat Tech School associate director Damon Minotti said access to the latest equipment helps young people gain a strong grasp of technologies they might come across in the workforce and during further study.

“By updating our equipment, we can continue to evolve our humanoid robotics programs to keep pace with changes in technology and industry,” he said.

“Having this equipment will give local students and teachers the chance to build their capabilities and confidence in science, technology, engineering and maths-related learning and teaching.”

To be used within the human assistant program, the interactive humanoid robots are designed to simulate contemporary health and social assistance experiences in the real world.

Robotics kits will boost automation programs, and be a steppingstone to use of artificial intelligence and sensor technologies, and further machine education.

The bushfoods chocolate by design and future food programs will be better equipped with more Thermomix systems for food and fibre studies.

FedTAFE CEO and FedUni pro vice-chancellor of vocational education and training Liam Sloan said a strong understanding of this equipment will give local youth a “competitive advantage” as they pave their own pathways to employment.

“We want to equip our young people at the Ballarat Tech School with the skills and knowledge they need to work for high tech industries,” he said.