1. What are the projects again?
Senior Secondary: Grade 10-12
~ Students to identify and solve a manufacturing problem, develop a business case and present to an industry judging panel at showcase day (like Shark Tank)
Junior Secondary: Grade 7-9
~ Students complete a custom manufacturing and careers challenge course, solve a real-world, industry-informed manufacturing problem, present their solutions to an industry panel at showcase day
Primary schools: Grades 3 - 6
~ Students use design thinking processes to solve a school or community-based problem using 3D technologies
2. We are familiar with the project now, can the students start working on their projects in Term 1?
Yes
There’s nothing stopping you from working with your students at the beginning of the year and then come to the end of year showcase day. A few teachers we spoke to have planned to start their projects in Term 1 to give them plenty of time to do the project over the year.
3. We’d like to work with industry early in the year, can we be connected with an industry partner earlier in the year and start working with them?
Yes
We connect you to the Skills Development Officer from the Qld Manufacturing Hub to connect you with an industry partner who may be available to work with schools earlier in the year.
4. Our teachers have already attended the PD/industry immersion days before, is it necessary to attend again?
No
If you are able to, we’d encourage coming to at least the first day which will have presentation about industry, industry site visit and re-connecting with the manufacturing hub.
(Schools will need to complete their project and come to the showcase day. Not attending the PD day and non-completion of the project and missing the showcase day impacts the Qld Manufacturing Hub’s ability to secure future funding from program sponsors).
5. We have new teachers to the school, should they attend the PD/industry days?
Yes - we strongly encourage them to attend but we won’t make it mandatory
That way you can have the confidence that they have undertaken the training and will be able to do the project and you and/or your staff do not need to allocate time to train them yourselves.
6. Will we receive another 3d printer?
Alumni schools already received a 3D printer before and 3 year Makers Empire 3D design software subscription, so new schools to the project will be receiving these resources.
7. We are just back to school and we don’t know yet who and how many teachers will participate and do the project right now, is that ok?
Yes
We understand it may take some time to get set up for the new school year especially if you have new teachers.
There’s plenty of time up until the pd/industry immersion days to organise which teachers will participate and do the project.
While you are planning and coordinating with your team, it’s really important to build into your planning any staff changes / unexpected departures so that the project is able to continue through the changes and be completed. School project completion is a strong factor in gaining funding support for continuation of the program, so please do your best