Meet the dreamtime engineers and manufacturers
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STEM primary students explored indigenous long history with manufacturing and engineering
Uncle Dennis Bobongie with Kelvin Grove State College students (Photo credit: Tai Bobongie)
Our manufacturing and engineering industry is evolving into ‘Advanced Manufacturing’; defined by robotics, artificial intelligence, drones and 3D printing technologies.
The Gateway to Industry Schools Program for Advanced Manufacturing showcased First Nation Peoples culture and histories, to understand how some of the most innovative engineering and manufacturing methods were created, designed and constructed.
QMI Solutions, host of the Gateway to Industry Schools Program for Advanced Manufacturing (GISP), proudly sponsored the free Indigenous Australian cultural event ‘Meet the Makers of Crea8tive Dreamtime’ for students in Years 2 to 4 at Kelvin Grove State College.
Llew Paulger, Principal of Kelvin Grove State College said:
“This engaging day, working with indigenous educators and elders, has lit the spark of interest and connection within these students…in relation to our indigenous history and knowledge that it has an 80,000-year history.”
Students who attended the one-day cultural immersion experience learnt how some of the oldest technologies, instruments, weapons and structures on earth were created, designed and constructed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The experience demonstrated how Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) have been used by Australia’s First Nation Peoples for over 60 000 years, contributing to some of the most innovative manufacturing and engineering designs of the contemporary world.
“This stimulating workshop help to educate indigenous and non-indigenous of these important connections as we move forward to adopt the technologies that are connecting us with our world audience. It's an exciting time to celebrate and move forward together”
Said Gateway to Industry Schools Program manager, Jules McMurtrie.
Uncle Dennis Bobongie with Kelvin Grove State College students (Photo credit: Tai Bobongie)
Presented by First Nation educational facilitators at Cre8tive Nations, students examined how the Boomerang, Didgeridoo, Fish Traps, Land Care and Dugout Canoe all represent the innovative, inventive and sustainable use of engineering and manufacturing methods from a historical and cultural perspective.
Year 2 teacher, Alicia Balea said:
“It is such a privilege having Uncle Dennis and Aunty Nic here sharing knowledge with us and our students.”
Cre8tive Nations spokesperson LaVonne Babongie said:
“Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives is one of the critical key point indicators for the Australian National Education Curriculum. Cre8tive Nations are dedicated to sharing our perspectives and stories. We’re excited to put a spotlight on and honour our long history of manufacturing and engineering.”
More about Gateway to Industry Schools Program – Advanced Manufacturing
QMI Solutions have hosted the GISP since 2009.
The GISP is a component of state-wide industry engagement and workforce development strategy to support the long-term development of a highly-skilled workforce in Queensland.
QMI assists to deliver the vision of the Queensland Government committed to growing manufacturing in this state as a critical driver of innovation and productivity in the economy.
Watch this video to learn more about GISP Advanced Manufacturing: