MechExpo

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (16:10): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Training and Skills about MechExpo 2014.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: Sir, as you know, showcasing student excellence is an important activity in encouraging and inspiring other young people to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and maths. Minister, will you explain what MechExpo is?

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) (16:10): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Mr President, this year marks the 20^th year of the University of Adelaide's annual showcase event for their graduating mechanical engineering students. This event, appropriately entitled MechExpo, will be combined with a new exhibition called Ingenuity 2014, which proudly showcases the skills of students across other disciplines such as computer and mathematical sciences, as well as engineering.

Both of these showcasing events are valuable education resources for high school students, teachers, industry and the wider public to raise profile of STEM careers and inspire young people. At least two graduates of the University of Adelaide's mechanical engineering course are particularly inspiring. One is celebrated NASA astronaut Andy Thomas, and the other is Andrea Boyd, who now works as an operations engineer for the International Space Station.

Andrea, a 2001 graduate from Torrens Valley Christian School in Hope Valley, now works in Belgium, controlling some of the functions of the International Space Station—a real-life story that should convince any sceptics worried that a STEM career is not exciting or suitable for young women. I am also very pleased to see that Andrea will be giving the keynote address at MechExpo this year.

MechExpo allows more than 200 students in their final honours year of the Bachelor of Engineering to demonstrate their projects. These projects span the disciplines of mechanical, mechatronic, aerospace, automotive, sports and sustainable energy engineering. There will be more than 60 innovative projects on display at the Adelaide Convention Centre, reflecting the fascinating and diverse applications of mechanical engineering. Students work either alone or in groups of up to nine people on projects ranging from design-and-build to theoretical research.

In some cases, students work closely with external companies to develop solutions for industry problems, and some students will obtain sponsorship to further their research and development in their chosen field. This type of collaborative research and development, where the higher education innovation and research meet real world needs, is one that the government is keen to encourage.

An example of this collaborative approach is a project sponsored by the Novita Children's Service. Students worked with Novita to determine the feasibility of designing a lower-body exoskeleton device, with joints actively supported at the hips and the knees and passively supported at the ankles and lower back, to help children correct their walking gait patterns.

MechExpo 2014 will not only celebrate this year's newly minted mechanical engineering honours students, it will also celebrate all who have contributed to the Adelaide University School of Mechanical Engineering over the last 20 years. MechExpo is a free event, open to the public tonight from 6pm to 9pm and Thursday, 30 October from 10am to 4pm. I encourage all members present to attend and view the excellent and inspiring work of these South Australian students.