In May, integratedSTEM had the privilege of joining the DigiTrek Roadshow. With the support of TAFE and the Queensland Government Department of Communities, Housing, and Digital Economy, we teamed up with the Australian Army Drone Racing Team, Fujitsu, and BOP Industries to host workshops designed to give regional Queenslanders a deeper understanding of the digital skills needed in the workforce of the future. Participants explored concepts like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, and by getting hands-on in our workshops, they gained practical tech skills, unlocking a world of career and business opportunities. The roadshow took place at TAFE campuses throughout regional Queensland, traveling from Roma to Toowoomba.
The Roadshow Begins!
Our first stop was Roma, home to the largest cattle sale yards in the Southern Hemisphere and the heritage-listed Heroes’ Avenue, making it the perfect start to this exciting event. Day 1 in Roma featured a launch event with a thrilling demonstration by the Australian Army Drone Racing Team. The roadshow featured four expert drone pilots, including LCPL Dan “MacDaddy” McCullock, who participated in the industry and education panel that evening, AB Shaun “TopKnot” Rotherham, FLTLT Jayden “HaZeus” Hasemann, and SPR Alex “Huey.FPV” Brown.
Day 2 in Roma invited students from Roma State College and the Home Education Unit to join the day’s activities. Later that evening, Cadets from Roma’s Number 204 Squadron got a glimpse into military careers during their own session.
Next Stop: Dalby
Next, we traveled to Dalby, known as Queensland’s wheat center, where we set up at the TAFE campus to share our industry knowledge with the future specialists. TAFE hosted students from Chinchilla State High School and Dalby State High School, giving us the opportunity to bridge the gap between passion and profession. Building on the demos and talks by the Australian Army Drone Racing Team, we taught students about machine vision and allowed them to get hands-on experience with drones as they explored the concept. We also hosted an AgTech Innovations Challenge, encouraging students to consider the limitations of the agricultural industry and how emerging technologies like drones could help solve them.
Our Biggest Day So Far
On Thursday, we arrived in Kingaroy, in view of the stunning Bunya Mountains, a perfect setting for the seven schools hosted by TAFE that day. Saint Marys Catholic College, St Johns Lutheran School, Kingaroy State High School, Faith Christian School of Distance Education, Nanango State High School, Proston State High School, and CTC Youth Services all participated. Due to the large number of students, BOP Industries ran sessions focused on Digital Content Creation and Social Media. Other sessions that day explored the future of food with discussions on 3D printing, vertical farming, and a tour of TAFE’s design spaces.
A Grand Finale
The DigiTrek Roadshow concluded in Toowoomba, home of integratedSTEM. It was a joy to see familiar faces as we conducted workshops at the beautiful Cobb and Co-adjacent TAFE Toowoomba Campus. Students from Mary MacKillop Catholic College, Downlands College, Darling Downs Christian College, Toowoomba State High School, St Joseph’s College, Faith Christian School of Distance Education, Wilsonton State High School, and Warwick Christian College joined us. To ensure every student had the opportunity to get hands-on with the industry technology, we ran each session four times throughout the day.
We at integratedSTEM are incredibly grateful to TAFE for inviting us to be part of this amazing event. Thanks to the DigiTrek Roadshow, we reached far more students than usual, providing them with valuable insights into real-world technology and demonstrating the importance of these skills for their future.
