Image: Former NASA astronaut Susan Kilrain was the guest of honour as STEM Punks launched their Space 2101 program in Mackay last week. Photo Credit: STEM Punks Education
A total of 50 local school students got a taste of working in space as the Space 2101 program launched globally in Mackay last week.
The five-day program was facilitated by world-leading STEM education providers STEM Punks, teaching students skills in coding, design thinking, 3D design, innovation and creativity, all with the theme of living and working in space.
“We’re putting the kids into the future,” said STEM Punks CEO Michael Holmstrom.
“It’s all about giving them STEM skills in the context of space and then we use something called design thinking to get them to transform ideas into outcomes really fast.”
The students were given the scenario of producing a new module for a futuristic space station.
“In the end, they get a really creative mindset,” Mr Holmstrom said.
“It’s about problem-solving, and they basically use those STEM skills in a problem-based learning scenario to produce an outcome.”
The program also featured former NASA astronaut Commander Susan Kilrain who flew in from the USA to present with STEM Punks.
“She was there as a mentor, as a validator of the ideas, and to share her inspirational story about being blasted off into space,” Mr Holmstrom said.
Grade eight student Olivia Pearce has always wanted to be an astronaut and says meeting Ms Kilrain was inspirational.
“It really showed me that I could be an astronaut and that it is possible and if you do well in school and join clubs you’ve got opportunities,” Olivia said.
“I had quite a good chat with Susan, and she really told me that I could do it and it’s really good that I’m a female because that’s bringing more females into the field.”
Fellow grade 8 student Hunter McGeary agreed.
“That was amazing,” he said.
“First astronaut ever to come to Mackay apparently.
“I’ve just loved space and coding and programming, and I heard there was a lot of that with this program.
“We’ve mainly been learning programming, but we’ve done a bit of circuitry and 3D design which is cool.”
The Mackay program is the launch of a world tour for STEM Punks which will now head to Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Bahrain, UK, India and the USA.
