STEM Explorers

About STEM Explorers

Engineers Without Borders University of Melbourne Chapter has a thriving School Outreach Program; from Metropolitan and Regional workshops to our multi day Innovation Challenge. Over the years, we have been fortunate enough to work with and be supported by schools from all over Victoria.

STEM Explorers is a volunteer-based program that runs workshops for students in rural areas, teaching them about engineering and problem solving with a humanitarian focus and a strong emphasis on sustainability. The workshops include a short presentation followed by a hands-on activity using materials that we provide.

A STEM Explorers week will be held this coming Summer (dates and location to be confirmed). The program is completely FREE for schools and students as we provide all of the materials needed. Typically the workshops are conducted in a class of around 30 students and run for around 1-1.5 hours. They are best suited for science classes. If you have multiple science classes, we can also run multiple workshops on one day depending on our availability.

Module Structure

Upon confirmation, the type and quantity of modules will be discussed. Each module has the following structure.

Introduction (10-15 minutes)

The different roles engineers can have within society are discussed and a real-world problem is introduced.

Hands on Activity (30-40 minutes)

Students form groups and work together to provide a technical and sustainable solution to the problem while understanding the real world limitations imposed by the modules.

Debrief and Discussion (5-10 minutes)

A short pop-quiz is held where the connection between the activity and real world events are discussed. There is also an opportunity to discuss university pathways and careers in engineering.

Available Modules

There are four modules to choose between. We recommend Appropriate Housing, Clean Water and Safe Structures for primary students and Prosthetics for secondary students.

In each module students will experience all aspects of developing an engineering solution; planning a design, working within a budget, building a prototype and then testing that prototype. They will be encouraged to understand how simple and effective engineering solutions can meet the needs of developing countries.

Appropriate Housing

Explores the importance of developing appropriate housing solutions in the context of floating villages in the Tonle Sap region of Cambodia.

Safe Structures

A lens into the considerations for the design and implementation of structures in natural-disaster prone areas. It encourages students to understand and critically evaluate the key role structural engineering plays in building structures resistant to natural disasters.

Clean Water

Focuses on access to clean water and how this differs between countries. Students are encouraged to consider where our water comes from and are exposed to various water treatment technologies, from the complex, down to the very simple.

Prosthetics

Explores the importance of access to adequate healthcare, the functions of human limbs, and the way that prosthetics integrate with the human body. Students are exposed to the global challenges associated with access to efficient, affordable healthcare and are encouraged to consider the difference between their own access to healthcare services compared to someone living in a different country.

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