Bowen State High School is shooting for the stars as it officially becomes an Aerospace Gateway to Industry School, allowing its students to take their first small step towards the final frontier.
The school will begin offering a Certificate III in Remote Piloting next year within its senior school thanks to the State Government Initiative which transitions students from school to industry.
Senior School Head Of Teaching Tim Close said the program sees the governing body of Aerospace Gateways to Industry liaise between schools and stakeholders to create a partnership which sends students directly into work.
“One of their key roles is creating that partnership with an industry body and a business, which is now formalised and solidified through that program,” Mr Close said.
“Next year, we will see the implementation of a Certificate III in Remote Piloting for the first time. Students will be able to exit grade 12 with the capability of being a fully qualified drone pilot.”
Integral in the program is a partnership with Gilmour Space Technologies, a Gold Coast-based venture-funded Australian space company who are constructing an orbital launch facility out of Abbott Point State Development Area.
The State High School - which already offered smaller-scale Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M) programs on rocketry and droning within its curriculum - was gifted with Civil Aviation Safety Authority certified flight simulators in partnership with Gilmour Space in December last year.
Initial introductions to the Aerospace Gateways Program were facilitated by Gilmour Space Technologies in July of last year, with the school now progressing to official aerospace status for its 2023 curriculum.
James Gilmour, co-Founder and Head of Launch Site Operations at Gilmour Space said the program was a key aspect for the company to grow alongside the region.
“Gilmour Space has already invested over $3.5 million into the local community, and we are working with local manufacturers to buy more systems associated with launch and develop local supply chains to support our ongoing operations,” he said.
“We're extremely excited about the future opportunities that space, and particular launch, will bring to the region and Australia. We want the sky to no longer be the limit for any students! Students and industry can be bold and dream big.”
Mr Gilmour said the company are organising speaking engagements with the school to talk about the different career pathways to space, which now exist in Australia.
In coming years, the school hopes to implement further opportunities, according to Mr Close.
“Future opportunities the program presents in conjunction with the flight simulators, the strength of our relationship with Gilmour, implementation of the Certificate III, we now have opportunities for our students on top of what we already have,” he said.
“We look forward to continuing to grow our Aerospace capability within our school and are very excited for the future of Bowen as we move towards becoming space ready.
“Thank you to Gilmour for their continued support and funding for our S.T.E.M in school and the assistance by Atherton State High School and Senior Experienced Aerospace Teacher, Jon Collins.”
The far north school southwest of Cairns lent information and assistance to Bowen State High School, including an insight into what the future can hold for an Aerospace school.
“We could have students potentially taking part in Aerospace Skills as a general subject, which can see them gain their pilot’s license,” Mr Close said.
The program will be delivered independently by a registered training provider at the school’s independent learning centre for three lessons a week.
Senior School Head of Teaching at Bowen State High School Tim Close, Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools Mrs Natalie Allen, Operations Manager for Gilmour Space Industries Mr Scott Shimmon, and Senior Experienced Aerospace teacher from Atherton State High School Jon Collins
