For the second time, the ARBS Foundation has supported the STEaM project (STEaM– science, technology, engineering, mathematics).  The project is conducted by AKORN Education Services in conjunction with Engineers Australia.  At its fundamental level the project aims to encourage secondary school students, especially girls, to undertake study in the science related fields.

The 2023 program was conducted in September.

Students worked in groups to develop a range of facilities, including residential, sporting and accommodation to support a community development project.  Each group was responsible for one aspect of the development, but importantly, all of the groups needed to collaborate with each other.

The project deliverables were the same for each group of students.

• A 3-Drinted model.
• Digital 3-D model.
• 10–20 page report.
• Project presentation and answer questions.

In the process of completing the project, groups were required to take account of the engineering disciplines of: –

• Sustainability.
• Accessibility.
• Mechanical.
• Electrical.
• Security and software.
• Hydraulic.
• Vertical transportation.

Completion of project occupied one week.

Feedback from the students and their parents was very positive.  

The parents of one of the students said, “I just wanted to send this email to express my thanks for the valuable opportunity. It was wonderful to be invited to attend the presentation day and see all that they had worked on”. 

He added, “Elizabeth loved  hearing the different engineering experts”.

“After this experience, she is open to engineering as a career option” he said

Ian Hopkins, ARBS Foundation chair said that supporting a program of this nature was core business for the Foundation and we look forward to supporting it in the future.

The ARBS Foundation with the ongoing financial support of ARBS Exhibition is charged with supporting education and training along with research into practical aspects of the HVAC industry.