Stem Skills

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:34): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Science a question about science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.T. NGO: STEM subjects are important to the future of our society. They intermingle and diverge, working in parallel and partnership to touch every aspect of our daily life. My question is: can the minister advise the chamber on an exciting STEM initiative happening in Adelaide today?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:34): Today approximately 240 students will converge on the Adelaide Arena to try to outsmart each other at the South Australian Science and Engineering Super Challenge event. This event aims to inspire students and encourage them to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects through to year 12.

During July, about 2,500 students in years 9 and 10 from 75 high schools participated in a series of events, from building an earthquake-proof home or a catapult that fires a ball through a hoop, to the pinnacle event, the bridge building competition. The winning participants from each round come together for today's 'super challenge'.

The students in today's super challenge are from eight different schools across South Australia, from as far away as Bordertown High School and Cummins Area School on the Eyre Peninsula to Mawson Lakes and Adelaide. The event challenge will have students using their own wits to build models out of everyday household items, as well as electric motors and electronic equipment, to solve the problem rather than relying on computers and the internet.

Through a $35,000 grant, the government is supporting events which heighten awareness of the importance of roles played by the science and engineering disciplines. The future prosperity of our state relies on growing advanced high-value industries such as clean tech and the minerals and resources sectors. The state government is committed to developing our workforce with skills to drive innovation and productivity by encouraging people to take up STEM qualifications.

All three South Australian universities strongly support the event, while the University of Newcastle provides equipment for, and supervision of, the event statewide. For the first time, South Australia has been awarded hosting rights for the national title, to be held at the Adelaide Arena on Wednesday 29 October 2014. The school that wins the South Australian Science and Engineering Super Challenge event will go on to represent the state in the national event.