STEM program inspires rural students

Students from rural schools such as Nathalia Secondary College are able to use innovative technology through KIOSC’s interactive STEM activities
In summary
- Swinburne’s Knox Innovation, Opportunity and Sustainability Centre (KIOSC) has received government funding for their Inspire Program
- The KIOSC Inspire Program provides STEM educational experiences to rural students as well as career support services
- The program includes technology-based experiences for real world settings in farming, communities and design
Swinburne’s Knox Innovation, Opportunity and Sustainability Centre (KIOSC) has launched its Inspire Program as part of the Victorian Government’s investment to help raise rural students’ understanding and confidence in pursuing STEM related tertiary education.
The KIOSC Inspire Program gives rural students the opportunity to experience new and emerging technologies in their own environment through interactive STEM activities. It helps broaden career pathways available and enables them to make an informed decision on their future careers through career clubs and discovery sessions.
To help ignite interest in STEM among her students, Principal of Nathalia Secondary College, Helen Ginnivan, invited KIOSC to deliver the Drone and Robotics Program. Students were taught how to control drones and prototype programming codes, which she says created dialogue full of inquiry and problem solving.
‘The students really enjoyed the practical component flying the drones and managing the challenges they were set in a team.’
The experiences are designed to focus on concepts and issues relevant students in rural areas. Through technology, students explore innovative solutions to problems that will open their minds to exciting career possibilities.
The KIOSC Inspire Program is made up of three main educational experiences that can be selected:
- Smart Farms: exploring the use and benefits of technology in farming.
- Smart Communities: discovering how technology can connect people and communities.
- Smart Design and Manufacturing: Bringing entrepreneurial and enterprising ideas to life through 3D design and production.

In their own school environment, rural students can experience new and emerging technologies, encouraging and supporting them to broaden their career pathways
Technology inspires
KIOSC Systems Coordinator, Brendan Kroon, is the equipment lead of the program and helps educators by managing and maintaining the relevant software. Mr Kroon enjoys travelling to rural schools and engaging with the students through delivering the program.
‘Technology is the core of the program. As we showcase the latest tech to the students and demonstrate how they can use it in their local communities, we teach them new vital skills (such as programming) that may be beneficial to them in the future.’
Mr Kroon says that though COVID-19 has limited KIOSC’s ability to travel to rural schools, they continue to engage students online and are excited to deliver the program in person as soon as they can.
‘The benefit of this is that the students get a hands-on experience that the schools are unable to provide. The teachers are also upskilled on how they can take this program further for the benefit of their students.’
-
Media Enquiries
Related articles
-
- Technology
- Aviation
- Engineering
Swinburne on show at Avalon
Swinburne’s capabilities in astrophysics, aerospace, aviation, engineering, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence were on display at the 2023 Avalon International Airshow.
Monday 06 March 2023 -
- Technology
Swinburne enters the metaverse with Factory of Future digital twin
Swinburne University of Technology’s state-of-the-art Factory of the Future will be the latest space to enter the metaverse through a new partnership with tech leader CWX Technologies.
Wednesday 08 March 2023 -
- Technology
- University
- Aviation
Swinburne empowers first aerospace Founder in Residence to soar at Avalon International Air Show
Taking on Avalon International Air Show with innovative aerospace is Swinburne’s first Founder in Residence Rachael Barritt.
Wednesday 01 March 2023 -
- Astronomy
Humans are still hunting for aliens. Here’s how astronomers are looking for life beyond Earth
We have long been fascinated with the idea of alien life. The earliest written record presenting the idea of “aliens” is seen in the satiric work of Assyrian writer Lucian of Samosata dated to 200 AD.
Friday 03 March 2023 -
- Science
- University
More than $1.1mil in funding for Swinburne industry-linked projects
The projects will look at using recycled glass in roads, improving Australia’s 5G network, and boosting quality of life in aged care through technology.
Wednesday 08 February 2023