The Faculty of Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology (EAIT) hosted the inaugural Murri School STEM University Experience Day, facilitating an environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to grow their curosity in STEM.
More than 60 enthusiastic First Nations students in grades 4 - 6 from the Murri School, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Independent Community School, came together for an immersive day of hands-on STEM learning.
The dynamic range of activities, underpinned by cultural relevance, was aimed at connecting and challenging the students. Activities included connectiing ball sport plays and coding algorithams using Micro Melon robots, flying Tello mini drones and connecting the aerodynamics of the boomerang, displaying spatial skills in the Virtual Reality lab. exploring the cultural significance and medicinal purposes of bush foods from this continent, and learning to train computers to recognise native animals and dance moves, while understanding the imperative for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in machine learning.
Uncle David Unaipon, credited as the first inventor of perpetual flight in motion.
The day underscored UQ’s commitment to providing inspirational and empowering learning opportunities for the next generation of diverse innovators, centred on students' connections to Culture and community.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are currently underrepresented in STEM fields at the tertiary level, particularly in areas such as Engineering, Architecture, Information Technology, and Design. Professor Sue Harrison, Executive Dean of UQ’s EAIT Faculty, said the initiative seeks to address this and support the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
“By offering hands-on learning experiences like this, we are facilitating and environment for students to build the skills and confidence required to pursue higher education and careers in STEM fields,” said Professor Harrison.
"Through a UQ-wide commitment to Indigenous perspectives and curricula, we aim to increase Indigenous representation in higher education, with a goal of 70% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples holding a tertiary qualification by 2031."
The Murri School is a foundation of cultural practice and recognition of Indigenous learning and teaching vital to UQ, in building relationships with the local Meanjin (Brisbane) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community.
Event organiser and EAIT Indigenous Outreach Officer, Rennae Hopkins, emphasised the significance of the event in fostering a deeper understanding of the unique educational needs of Indigenous students and the pathways to support their future success at university.
"The event is a crucial step in helping UQ build stronger connections to better serve the educational needs of Indigenous students, paving the way for their future pathways." said Rennae.
With thanks to the dedicated group of collaborators who made the event possible, including Rennae Hopkins, Susan Beetson, Leon Li, Vibhav Chitale, William Armstrong, Ethan Badger, Kai Badger, Porsha Gahan, Keely Perry, Jakiah Boyle, Dr Anita Milroy, Hannah Drieberg, Dr Anh Tran, Rhiannon Dickson, Kellie King, and Reginaldo Nepomuceno Alves.
