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Two Victorian schools - Galen Catholic College and Wyndham Tech School - are case studies in the latest release of the Robotics Roadmap for Australia 2022

Robotics Australia Group seeks to raise the profile of robotics in Australia, to identify the challenges and opportunities available for robotics in this country and to highlight our accomplishments in the creation and application of robotics technologies.

The ultimate goal of the roadmap is to create an ecosystem that supports the robotics talent and technology we develop to remain here in Australia and build global capability.

The purpose of the Robotics Australia Network is to drive uptake of robotic technology and accelerate the growth of our domestic robotics industry. An advanced manufacturing and technology industry that will design, build, deploy and service advanced robotic systems for domestic and international consumption.

We see this as an opportunity to provide Australia with new employment opportunities, high-value global skills and capabilities, and technological sovereignty. We aspire to see an Australian robotics industry that will support the strength and competitiveness of our domestic industries; including mining, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, avionics, defence, and many more.

Click here to view the Robotics Roadmap for Australia 2022.

Galen Catholic College

Albury Competition with students competing with Wodonga, Albury and Galen teachers and senior students running the event. Image courtesy of Galen Catholic College

VEX Robotics was introduced to North East Victoria in October 2016, after being inspired by the 2016 National Science week theme Drones, Droids and Robots. Local teachers, both Secondary and Tertiary, along with students, parents and interested community members organised a workshop to investigate VEX Robotics.

Three schools then took up the challenge of setting up a VEX Robotics Program, with funds and support from LLEN networks. Galen Catholic College and Borinya Community Partnerships set up their programs as extra-curricula with it being optional participation for all levels. Wodonga Middle Years College, introduced it into their mainstream curriculum.

Thanks in part to the great collegiality shown by the schools and community support in the region, Wangaratta was awarded the honour of hosting the 2016 and 2017 Australian National VEX Robotics Championships. The success of these championships and publicity gained in the region, sparked an interest in robotics.

The schools continued to work closely together to develop their programs, and host their own local program development sessions inviting other schools to join. St Anne’s Primary in Albury, and Beechworth Montessori became the next schools to take on VEX Robotics also as an extra-curricular offering. In 2019, Galen Catholic College also introduced VEX Robotics into its mainstream curriculum and continues to run both programs.

With the growth of student/schools involvement, the region now has enough teams to support local competitions, from three teams in 2016 to 20 teams in 2019. The teams also travel together to Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide to compete in the larger competitions, creating great camaraderie and collaboration. At each competition the senior students encourage and assist the junior students and new teams.

Success at the 2017 VEX Australian Championships has inspired robotics in the area, with significantly higher participation from our region at subsequent competitions. Success with robotics in our region has come through strong collaboration and building networks. This has allowed our students to grow, develop into STEM leaders and inspire not only each other but the whole community.

Wyndham Tech School

Factory of the Future, students will be working with Industry Partners to work on projects that reduce production time. Image courtesy of Wyndham Tech School.

Robotics training is in full swing at Wyndham Tech School . Hosted by Victoria University Polytechnic in Melbourne’s West, the Tech School is providing 24,500 secondary school students from 34 partner schools access to the skills required for many of the jobs that haven’t been created yet.

With state government funding for ten Tech Schools across Victoria, these high-tech learning hubs offer innovative, problem-based education programs aimed at providing students with practical experience using the latest technology and equipment. Each Tech School is unique in its course offering, with programs co-designed with local industry partners and specialists in school networks. The distinctive and highly interactive learning environments help students to develop the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills they need to compete in the future global jobs market.

At Wyndham Tech School, students from 34 partner schools are introduced to robotics in Year 7, continuing to build on these skills right through to Year 12. Wyndham Tech School’s unique offer includes projects co-delivered by industry partners for students to problem solve, design and develop solutions using a variety of robotics. Access to both service robots and industrial robots used in industry provides opportunities to set up collaborative solutions, challenging curiosity and extending creativity. A key feature of the Wyndham Tech School’s programs is the professional development undertaken with teachers to enable them to apply and continue the learning introduced by the Tech School in their own school.

A few years ago, access to this type of training and technology across secondary schools in Melbourne’s West was varied and inequitable. The Tech School evens the playing field by providing all students the opportunity to engage with robotics in a contemporary and supportive environment. Located at Victoria University Polytechnic’s Werribee campus, Wyndham Tech School helps to introduce students to the diverse career possibilities available through TAFE and the University environment, strengthening their interest and opportunities for post-secondary education and training.

Robotics Australia Network includes representatives from industry, research, government, start-ups, investment, education, policy, law, and ethics who are passionate about building a robust and world-class ecosystem for robotics for the greater benefit of Australia.

For further information visit roboausnet.com.au or contact Dr Sue Keay, Chair, Robotics Australia Group Board sue.keay@roboausnet.com.au

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Victorian schools featured in Robotics Roadmap for Australia

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