Matilda Timms about to test out water rockets she designed and built.
Camera IconMatilda Timms about to test out water rockets she designed and built. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Kwinana iCareer Bright Sparx Club recognised at 2018 Global Best Awards

Staff writerWeekend Kwinana Courier

THE latest intake of Kwinana and Rockingham’s award winning science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education program has finished for the year.

The iCareer Bright Sparx Club was recently recognised at the global International Education Business Partnership Network, 2018 Global Best Awards.

The club won the STEM category along with Kwinana Industry Council’s iScience program.

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The aim of the club is to build student confidence in STEM subjects and awareness of STEM careers.

Students participate in activities outside of what they learn at school including, renewables engineering, water rockets and crime scene science.

A unique aspect of the program is students work with young scientists from Murdoch University and WesCEF industry mentors.

This collaborative approach was a major factor in the club being recognised at the 2018 Global Best Awards.

WesCEF chief executive Ian Hansen said the club was a great example of how industry and education could work together to promote STEM.

“Collaboration is vital in making STEM fun and accessible to everyone,” he said.

“Educational institutions teach the students critical STEM skills while industry plays a role in highlighting real-world occupations and workforce needs and expectations,” he said.

KIC director Chris Oughton said the program gave students from the region an early look at careers available in the industrial area.

“If our students like the idea of a career in some aspect of industry, then let’s encourage them by showing them what could be available to them,” he said.

Julie Forrest-Davies, from the Murdoch University Science Outreach Team, said that the best part of the program was seeing the positive change in the students.

“During the nine week program you can see the students develop a real passion STEM subjects,” she said.

Matilda Timms said she learnt a lot at the Bright Sparx Club.

“The best part was meeting students from different schools, learning about all the different types of science and about the jobs that are available after school,” she said.

The program will continue in 2019.