Influencing The Next Generation

Australia intrinsically produces great problem solvers. At a time of rapid technological advancement, teachers require different approaches to help deliver education in the classroom, facilitating these problem-solving skills. Thus Science, Technology, Engineering and Math's (STEM) education comes to play. STEM education is not about "what you learn "... it's not about "more maths", "more science", "more coding" or "more of the same". STEM is about "what you do with what you learn". It's about developing analytical problem-solving capacity, communication and lifelong learning skills.

Re-Engineering Australia Foundation (REA), established in 1998, has the primary objective of increasing students' understanding of STEM and associated career pathways. "We started with an Engineering focus because we were from Industry, and we knew that the education system wasn't delivering enough students with the appropriate skills to become Engineers. Our focus has now broadened to embrace STEM," said Dr Michael Myers, OAM, Chairman of REA. REA is now a recognised leader in designing and implementing STEM career interventions.

Learning environments that facilitate an increased understanding of the different career pathways presented in a way that fits with the unique motivational drivers of boys vs girls are critical. Students currently need significant support to discover just how exciting and engaging the activities of Industry can be. They learn through both success and failure, along the way developing high levels of resilience.

REA's programs focus on linking schools, Industry, TAFE, Universities and parents in a collaborative and entrepreneurial learning environment that produces outcomes aligned with the requirements of Industry. Over the past two decades, these programs have directly mentored hundreds of thousands of students across Australia, from Thursday Island to Tasmania and from Sydney to Perth. Its STEM programs include F1 in Schools, SUBS in Schools and Space in Schools. 78% of the students who participate in these programs change their career aspirations be to STEM-based.

Students confront complex yet exciting challenges, are equipped with world-class tools and are connected to industry mentors to facilitate their thirst for knowledge. Besides the more apparent outcomes, students develop many personal and employability skills, learning about working in a team, working towards a common goal, time and resources management, seeking out industry support and mentors. A critical differentiator of the REA programs has been the requirement for students to work directly with industry partners in their projects to see a direct relevance between classroom activity they enjoy and the world of work.

These connections empower and inspire students to learn.

"Within each of the programs, a great deal of focus is on helping students become successful entrepreneurs and to make this happen; we get out of their way". Said Dr Myers. This strategy has been validated internationally, with Australian teams, since 2003, winning 7 World Championships in the largest and most complex STEM competitions.

Over 20 years, REA has researched the impact of gender on attraction to STEM and industries that are STEM-based. Attracting girls into STEM careers has historically been problematic. This research highlighted that the story about STEM needs to be told differently to Boys than it is to Girls. Boys need continuous human interaction, particularly with role models and mentors, while girls do not. Girls seek out an understanding of the complexity of the environment to determine how they can play a role in managing that environment. They do not overtly respond to role models.

Engagement of Industry in the process of influencing students career motivation is critical. For boys, it's about whom they meet and who can teach them. For girls, it's about where they can gain the information they seek to choose their future career pathway.

The industry needs to focus on improving its attractiveness if it is to interest the best. With students making critical career decisions by the age of 18, Industry can no longer sit back and wait for the best from University. Students decisions are locked and loaded way before they make University. To attract the best students the Consulting Industry needs, start to engage with students very early in the education process.

To learn more about what REA has been achieving and how you can become involved, visit www.rea.org.au

Dr Michael Myers OAM

Executive Chairman

Re-Engineering Australia Foundation Ltd.