Concept2Creation

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright) (15:31): Concept2Creation is a program which is an excellent example of the creative learning that takes place in all of our schools, how learning is made interesting, challenging and relevant in both primary and high schools. This year, the 11^th year of collaboration between our schools and industry in northern Adelaide, saw 3,000 students participate, and over 400 students displayed their projects last Tuesday at the Golden Grove Recreation and Arts Centre.

This program started back in 2003, when local schools and industry leaders got together, realising how important it was to better prepare students for the real and future opportunities. I think it was fair to say there was increasing frustration about local kids not getting local jobs and not being prepared for the jobs of the future. I had the opportunity to view what they had done, talk to many of the students and teachers and, later in the afternoon, present awards.

Minister Gago visited, as did you, Deputy Speaker, and many local government representatives, including Tea Tree Gully mayor, Kevin Knight. I am sure they were all as impressed as I was. Concept2Creation has been extremely successful in helping students and schools understand and develop an appreciation of advanced manufacturing processes and has been expanded to schools outside of the northern Adelaide suburbs and as far afield as Riverton and District High School, who, if my memory serves me well, took out one of the awards.

There were state schools and private schools. Participating northern suburbs schools included Golden Grove High; Salisbury East High; Tindale; The Heights, Madam Deputy Speaker, which is in your area; and Valley View High, which I think also took out an award. Craigmore High—and I note that the member for Napier is here—also took out an award, and the list goes on. There were also schools from across Adelaide.

Twenty-eight primary and secondary schools were involved in this program, which is jointly funded by Department of State Development and the Department for Education and Child Development. Students, teachers and industry partners work together to solve problems that require a product or service. Assisted by industry mentors, students take the product from concept, through research and development, production and quality assurance, to the final creation and marketing.

In this, they used the science, engineering, maths and technological knowledge they learn in their school subjects to create their Concept2Creation project, and the examples we saw were quite amazing. I was really impressed not only with the students' knowledge but also with their enthusiasm, the way they displayed their projects, how well they were able to articulate what they had been doing—the processes they undertook and why—and their ultimate outcomes and conclusions.

The strength of our education system in South Australia is that it encourages and gives students the opportunity to use their imagination and develop creativity in problem solving. That means that when they enter the workforce, they are equipped to think, not just do. The other great advantage we have is the investment our industries provide in assisting teachers and our schools in ensuring that students have the relevant knowledge and skills they will need. Not only does the Northern Advanced Manufacturing Industry Group provide opportunity and mentor students in the process of their projects but also, importantly, they provide teachers with professional development.

I want to thank all those who have supported and encouraged these students throughout this process and congratulate not only those who were award recipients but all those who were willing to have a go. You never know what you can achieve until you try and that is the measure of success—being willing to try and learn, then try and learn again and not give up. Failure is not having the courage to have a go in the first place.

Some students said they were keen to follow on with engineering studies, some medicine, and some were just not sure what they wanted to do but, universally, they really enjoyed this challenge and the learning they gained. It made their science, maths, physics and technology studies relevant and fun and it ignited their passion and interest. I have no doubt that many will go on to lead the way in innovation and technology in whatever field they choose to follow. If this group is any indication, our state is in very good hands for the future.