Careers with STEM: Primary, Issue 1

CAREERS

ISSUE 1

withSTEM

™

y r a m i Pr

Stuart IS A NURSE

Meet health heroes p6

Animals with superpowers

FUTURE JOBS FOR CURIOUS KIDS

p10

Mind-blowing inventions p24

Experiments and puzzles p32

CAREERS with STEM.COM HEALTH + ANIMALS + PLANETS + GADGETS + CODES + COMPETITIONS

CONTENTS

. . . e d i s n i s What' Health heroes p6

p10

p24

Amazing animals p10

Build it p20

p20

Earth explorers p14

Gadgets p24

p14

p28

Code cracking p28 Puzzles p32

IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK

Acknowledgement of Country

shared around campfires and carried in the hear ts of their peop le forever.

To the First Scientists, Co untry is family and when you care for yo ur family, your family cares for you.

Long before colonisation, our old people lived with Country, not on it, but with it.

They listened to the land, observed the skies, followed the lessons of seasons, and knew the rhythms of every essence of the life they shared on Country. The First Scientists – our Elders, our ancestors, the true knowledge holders – walked on Country gently, with wisdom passed down through countless generations.

Their science wasn’t written in books, it was etched in the voices of our songlines, their knowledge forged into stone for the future generations to learn their lessons of Country. This knowledge was then

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Corey Tutt OAM DeadlyScience Kamilaroi

Corey Tutt DeadlyScience

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INTRODUCTION

s b o j m a Dre

Could you use STEM in your future career? ecial edition Welcome to this very sp Primary, of Careers with STEM: who are which features people ce, using their skills in scien g and technology, engineerin e maths (STEM) to solv important problems. scientist As an astrophysicist (a ience, who studies the stars), sc and maths technology, computing nt in my have been really importa grasp of career. Without a good guage skills STEM, as well as the lan rk with ot hers, I needed to share my wo me amazing wouldn’t have had the sa g some of the experiences – like usin s to study stars, world ’s largest telescope . ga laxies and black holes future, there's Whatever you do in the volve numbers, a good chance it wi ll in ning and logic. counting, coding, desig s that can help These are all STEM skill ay problemyou navigate the ever yd . solving that we all need

Lisa Harvey-Smith Astrophysicist In this magazine, we share stories about peop le who use STEM in their ever yday lives – many with very cool jobs!

You’l l meet Phoebe, a wi ld life conser vation officer wh o is helping endangered species. Yo u’l l learn how St uart helps his commu nity stay healt hy, how Bardie designs and builds things, and how Kayta became a software engineer and now shares news stories with millions of people.

I hope this magazine in spires you to imagine how you might use STEM in your future career. Don’t forget to try out our puzzles, word search es, stories and competitions to get your mind whirring with the possibi lities of STEM. Enjoy!

STEM skills can help you navigate th e everyday problemsolving that we all ne ed,” says Lisa.

Careers with STEM: Primarye 2026 is a publication and trademark of Refraction Media. Copyright © 2026 Refraction Media, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner or form without written permission. If you would like to reproduce anything from this magazine, email: info@refractionmedia.com.au.

This issue went to press on 5 March 2026.

Printed in Australia by IVE.

Lisa Harvey-Smith Astrophysicist Future You Ambassador

Cover image: Future You Produced and published by: Refraction Media Co-founder, CEO & Publisher: Karen Taylor-Brown Partnerships Manager: Rachel Jones Managing Editor: Jasmine Fellows Deputy Editor: Louise Meers Sub Editor: Amelia Caddy Art Director: Katherine Power

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PRIMARY

pefcaustralia.org.au

UPFRONT

e t a m i t l u e Th t i k r e t r a STEM st u hyped to imagine yo t ge ll wi s itie tiv ac e es Th t? ere to star Heard of STEM but not sure wh uld take you. Grab this toolkit and let’s go! where your future co

Take this quiz Let’s get you curious about your STEM future. Are you a practical problem-solver, a creative dreamer or a little bit of both?

This online quiz helps you explore what makes you tick – your interests or your favourite subjects – then suggests STEM jobs for you to explore.

You’ve got what it takes!

Wondering if STEM is for you?

Short answer: yes! STEM is for everyone.

Did you know 70% of people feel insecure and unworthy of their accomplishments? You’re not alone.

Experiment

WORDS: JASMINE FELLOWS | IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

They did what?

Student STEM videos

out the Create a 3-minute video ab STEM star. achievements of an unsung ence, tech, Research someone doing sci pires you, engineering or maths who ins uld even pick then tell their story. You co of this magazine. a superstar from the pages t these awardWant some inspo? Check ou stars. winning videos about STEM uipment, You don’t need any fancy eq just creative vision! in the Get into And you can enter your film (See back page.)

STEM competition this year!

Read these tips on how to deal: • Feeling insecure is normal.

These activities are Even doctors, scientists and from Get into ST EM. celebrities feel this way.

Check it out on lin e • R

eframe. Be aware of how you to expand your talk to yourself and change it. options.

• Keep going regardless of how you feel. It will take time and effort to change your thoughts, but you can’t wait until you feel completely confident to take action.

Get into STEM!

Read Corey’s story on page 12 to see confidence in action!

More tips here:

This article was created in partnership with Get into STEM, the Diversity in STEM Toolkit.

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As an apprentice, you’ll:

• learn on the job • e arn money as you learn • d o interesting projects

eams into a job. dr ur yo rn tu n ca EM ST in s Apprenticeship

STEM apprenticeships are all about turning things that you love doing now, like building, exploring or experimenting, into a real job once you’ve finished school.

Match your interests to an apprenticeship No power? No problem!

When the lights or wi-fi go out in a power outage, electrician apprentices help bring ever yt hing back safely.

WORDS: JASMINE FELLOWS | IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

Sarah is a clean energy apprentice.

She helps supermarkets save power by installing energy-efficient LEDs and motion sensors so lights turn off when no one’s around.

Sarah says, “I would like to inspire other girls to enter a trade.” She knows that when you follow your passion, you can help light up the world!

Apprentices toda y are solving real-w orld problems. That w ill al low them to become inventors, builders, scientis ts and technicians who can make the wor ld a better place.

Earth explorer!

An earth science technician apprentice helps scientists test soil, rocks and water to learn more about our planet.

Your apprenticeship is electrician, if you like: • LEGO circuits s • snap-together science kit ns tio • r edstone contrap in Minecraft

Sarah at the supermarket

UPFRONT

r u o y w o l l Fo passion!

What is an apprenticeship?

Your apprenticeship is earth science technician, if you like: • c ollecting rocks, shells or crystals

Zooming into the future

Cars of the future don’t need petrol, they run on batte ries just like toys! Electric ve hicle technician apprentices learn how to keep these cars charged and ready to go .

Your apprenticeship is electr ic vehicle technician, if you lik e: • racing remote-controlled cars • building LEGO car sets

This article was created in partnership with the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

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Too tr ue

Did you know ea rth science apprentic es help test rocks th at are mill ions of years old?

Find out more These are just a few of the apprenticeships on offer! Scan the QR code to see how kids like you grow into inventors, builders and explorers with an apprenticeship in STEM.

PRIMARY

HEALTH HEROES

n a m u h e h T s ’ r e s u a body: guide! arn how we can Our bodies are our homes. Le others! better care for ourselves and

Do Aussie kids eat enough

Try this

Add one ex tra colour to your plate ton ight. Tr y m, green peas, red capsicu le rp orange carrot or pu cabbage. Can you th ink of another food that’s a different colour?

veggies?

Not even close! On ly ar ound one in 20 Australian kids eats the recommended amount of vegetables. Th at means almost all Aussie kids wi ll benefit from an extra serve or 2 of veggies each day.

Food health heroes • Nutritionist • Farmer • Food scientist

A re you moving enough?

W hile you’re 5–17 years old, you need 60 minutes of moderate to vi gorous activity ever y da y.

Time to get moving!

Skye Blackburn Harvester

WORDS: JASMINE FELLOWS | IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

Jamie Morris rie chef Sweet treats Patisse

Bug snacks

Jamie is on the way to becoming a skilled patisserie chef, which means he specialises in pastries and sweets. Jamie’s ADHD occasionally makes it a bit tough to stay focused, but he excels as a bakery assistant, learning on the job and getting paid while attending TAFE.

This article was created in partnership with Future You.

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Skye is an entomologist, which means she researches insects – but she’s also a food scientist!

To ensure there’s food for ever yone in the future, Sk ye believes that we’ll need to eat alternative proteins like insects.

adar Sharna Jam ist Neuroscient

Experiment

Sleep is a superpower

Pulse power

11 Most kids need about 9– ny ma t bu , ep sle hours of ep Aussie kids get less. Sle t sor ain br ur yo helps memories, remember your school work, and more.

Brain break

Sharna is a neuroscient ist, which means she studies the br ain. Sharna first studied maths and computer science, but didn’t enjoy it. Then she discovered she loved ps ycholog y – the study of how people thin k and feel. Now she runs a rese arch lab!

Read more about these health heroes and other inspiring STEM stars

Body health heroes • Coach • Personal trainer • Physiotherapist

Siobhan McGinnity Audiologist

Find your pulse. Use your index and middle fingers to press gently on the inside of your wrist. The gentle beat is blood pumping around your body!

Count your pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. That’s your heart rate in beats per minute.

Do an activity that gets you puffing for 30 seconds, then check again. Feel the difference?

Your pulse gets faster as you exercise because your heart is pumping more blood – and ox ygen – around your body. It helps release energy to keep muscles pumping!

Listen and learn

Daisy Shu Optometrist Wellbeing health heroes • Psychologist • Counsellor • Sleep scientist

Siobhan has Ménière’s r disease, which affects he g. ba lance and her hearin to ys She’s researching wa in prevent hearing injuries the music industr y.

Turn the page…

… to read a comic abou t our cover star, Stuart Yiwarr McGrath.

Find out what it’s like to spend a day as a register ed nurse among the Yolŋu people of northeast Arnhem Land.

The mysteries of the eye

t (a ty pe Daisy is an optometris your of doctor who looks after tist at eyes) and a research scien y, she UNSW Sydney. One da that wi ll wants to lead a big team ss. find the cure for blindne 7

PRIMARY

HEALTH HEROES CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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PRIMARY

AMAZING ANIMALS

e d o m t s Bea the planet, their incredible on s re tu ea cr st ole co e th t Check ou rk with them some day. wo d ul co u yo w ho d an s er superpow

Regeneration

An axolotl can heal itself . It can regrow its limbs and ev en parts of its brain and spinal co rd!

Did you know? Conservatio nists are helping the critically endang ered axolotl by restoring its habit at in Lake Xochimilco, Mexico Cit y.

IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK

Indestructability Tardigrades can survive extreme temperatures, dehydration and starvation. They’ve also survived in space!

Fun fact Astrobiologists (who study the possibility of life beyond Earth) are researching tardigrades in space to learn about long-duration space travel and survival on other planets.

Camouflage

The snow leopard is a m aster of this superpower.

Its spot ty coat helps it blend into snow y and rock y enviro nments.

Future planning Become a zoologist and you could care for animals at Melbourne Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

This article was created in partnership with Future You. CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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Super speed The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on Earth! It can reach speeds of over 320 km/h during hunting dives.

FYI Someone who studies birds is called an ornithologist (say aw·nuh·THOL·uh·juhst).

7 surprising creature careers These jobs work with our furry, feathery and scaly friends!

2Nutritionist

Works out the food needs of animals in captivity, on farms and for pets in our homes!

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Agricultural technician

Super strength

Measures and analyses food products (like grains, fruit and veg), and manages livestock (like cattle, sheep and pigs).

The trophy for the strongest animal goes to the African bush elephant. It can lift a whopping 6,000 kg.

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Occupational therapist

Real-life superheroes Conservationists are working to protect endangered African bush elephants from poachers, ange. habitat loss and climate ch

Uses animals to help patients improve their movement, plus social and emotional skills.

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Venom extractor

‘Milks’ spiders, snakes and risky creatures to make medicines and bite treatments with venom.

Scan here to find out more about Phoebe and her epic career!

5Big cat dentist

Cares for the teeth of lions, tigers, cheetahs and leopards in zoos.

Fact file

6Ophthalmologist

Name: Phoebe Meagher Job: Wildlife conservation officer at Taronga Conservation Society Australia Studied: Zoology Favourite school subject: Biology On the job: Phoebe releases animals into the wild and actively fights against poachers.

Say opthal·MO·luh· juhst. Studies the structure of the eyes in different animals.

7 Radiographer Takes X-Rays of animals so vets can diagnose and check injuries and diseases.

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PRIMARY

AMAZING ANIMALS

Wildest dreams rey Tutt.

Meet deadly STEM legend, Co

Have you ever dreamed of working in a zoo? Corey Tutt di d, but getting there wasn’t easy.

Corey is a proud and de ad ly Kamilaroi man from No wra, New Sout h Wales. When he was younger, Corey was told he was ne ver going to be smar t enough to work in a zoo.

How rude!

Today, Corey is not only a zookeeper, he's also an author, and the founder and CEO of Dead lyScie nce, a charity that sends STEM resour ces and programs to regiona l an d remote schools. That means Ab origina l and Torres Strait Islander yo ut h are suppor ted to dream big too.

Corey loves helping ot he rs to believe in themselves. Hi s advice?

“Find your passion and purpose.

Where the passion is, th e purpose will come!”

Did you know?

Purnululu School teaches the Gija way. Gija is the trad itional lang uage of the area, and it’s thousands of year s old.

Most lessons in the school focus on Gija stories, la ng uage, kinship and conn ection to Countr y.

Too Dead ly!

IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK

Wild reads Ready for more amazing animals? Corey’s deadly books bring science to life!

•C aution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles •D eadly Science – Animal Adaptations •D eadly Science Life Cycles Please keep an eye out for Corey’s latest book, Science Before Science!

Trapping toads

What did you do at school today? At Purnululu School and Woorreranginy Community, they’ve been trapping cane toa ds!

Learners at Purnululu Scho ol have created cane toad tad pole traps to control the numbers of this invasive species. They also hu nt and humanely kill adult toads be fore they can breed.

This article was created in partnership with DeadlyScience.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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b r u t s i d t Do no to watch from afar. ys wa ve ha ts tis ien sc so , als ld anim It’s important not to bother wi

Scientists today use clever tools like flying robots (drones) and hidden cameras to learn where creatures go, what they eat and how to protect them.

Flying photos

with Drones can be equipped at special tech to reveal wh mal animals are up to. Ther at at he dy cameras detect bo ones can night. Radio-tracking dr dio tags. find animals wearing ra at film, There are even drones th le plates. have lasers or hold samp

tta Name: Dr Vanessa Piro er Role: Wildlife research Research: Collects whale snot using drones

Animal tracking

Scientists sometimes att ach small radio tags to animals like turtles, sharks and birds.

These tags send signa ls back to the scientist when an animal moves or comes to the surface. This helps scien tists map where different species travel, eat and rest so they can protect them better.

Experiment

WORDS: JASMINE FELLOWS | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK

Get spotting!

Did you know you can help scientists spot animals? Try Seek by iNaturalist to help scientists understand where different species live. oint the app’s Seek •P Camera at living things.

• S pot wildlife, plants and fungi.

• E arn badges for observing different species.

Name: Dr Jo Day Role: Conservation biologist Research: Marine turtle tracki ng

Camera traps Camera traps are special motion-activated cameras that record images when animals move past them. Researchers use them to find out where animals live.

Name: Declan Morris Role: Community ecologist Research: Spotting leopards with camera traps

This article was created in partnership with Future You. 13

PRIMARY

PLANET EXPLORERS

s e r u s a e The tr below Dig into jobs that take people underground, and imagine what future explorers might find on other planets.

Diamonds. Iron ore. Underground rivers. What comes to mind when you think about the world beneath your feet? And not just our world, but the unexplored nether realms of other planets? Read on to discover the underground careers of today and tomorrow.

Working off-world (i.e. in the rest of the solar system) Planetary geologists are a bit like space detectives! They study how planets, moons, asteroids and comets formed, and what they are made of.

If you become a planetary geologist, you could work at:

WORDS: KATH KOVAC | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK, NASA

Space agencies

Angela Garcia NASA exploration geologist

Go on planetary missions and do research with the Australian Space Agency (ASA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or the European Space Agency (ESA).

Aerospace companies

Imagine wa in g around the dlk es er – in a space suit!t

Design spacecraft or plan space exploration missions.

A ngela Garcia tr ains the engineers, as tronauts and geolog ists w ho w ill be sent on NA SA ’s A rtemis mission to the Moon.

Universities

Why not research planetary science and astrobiology?

Media

As a science communicator, you could get paid to inspire others!

Mining companies

Work out how to mine resources on other planets or on asteroids.

Working on-world (i.e. here

This article was created in partnership with Future You. CAREERSwithSTEM.com

on plan

et Earth) Geologists and geoscie ntists are the people yo u want to know when yo u need to find out what ’s way, way beneath your feet. From volcanoes to gold mines and earthquakes to underground water sources, geologists rock !

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The top 5 on-world jobs (In alphabetical order – because they are all ‘ore-some'!)

Earth science teachers Arguably the most important, because we always need new geologists!

Engineering geoscientists

Decide if the ground is stable enough for large buildings, mine projects, dams or oil drilling.

Storytime Semper

Environmental geoscientists

Could there be useful minerals, water, or even life on Jupiter’s remote moons?

Check out this edited extract from Semper, a story of a girl and her robot dog searching for resources on Europa… 780 million kilometres from home.

Shang stared out at Jupiter through the viewport, hanging overhead like their own cold sun. Every time she caught sight of it, she’d get goosebumps. It had taken her 6 years to get here, most of which she’d spent sleeping.

She was eager to get onto Europa, the moon she’d been assigned to explore for resources and critical minerals. She’d sacrificed a lot to be here. Everything, in fact.

But Shang had been assigned the worst robo on the entire base. It looked like a giant terrier puppy, a big useless Drobo that was smooth and silver and needy. The one good thing about Semper, she thought, was that it didn’t drool like Earth dogs did…

Study our planet to help us use its resources wisely, and keep it healthy.

Exploration and resource geologists

Look for minerals like gold, copper or iron ore, and work out the amounts and quality of minerals underground.

Geophysicists

Be a volcanologist, earthquake researcher, tectonic plate scientist and more!

Sneaky schoolwork

Psst! Get th is m ission marked off in th e classroom. Hand your teacher th is B&G matri x to show you’ve go t schoolwork sorted .

Read or listen to Semper here: Semper | Short story | Future you How many STEM skills can you find in the story?

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PRIMARY

PLANET EXPLORERS

s i e c n e i c Geos e r e h w y r e v e ? Ask a friendly geoscientist. of e ad m is rth Ea at wh ow kn Want to ink of water.

Turn on the tap for a dr find the Use your phone’s map to der pizza. beach. Open an app to or a bus.

Ride your bicycle or catch ese Guess what? None of th d be ever yday activities woul urces possible without the reso and studied that are found, mapped by geoscientists! at our Earth Geoscientists study wh can use its is made of and how we and water. minerals, meta ls, rocks

WORDS: KATH KOVAC | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK

Geo-match

What could you do as a geoscientist?

• F ix some of our biggest challenges.

•U se satellites to keep an eye on changes to our environment.

•H elp communities prepare for natural hazards like earthquakes.

• Figure out how everyone in the world can get clean drinking water!

This government entity helps Australia m ake decisions about ge olog y and geog raphy – from the oceans to the mainland.

Try this!

Match the names of these ages. geoscience jobs with the im Look for hints in the words! ydrogeologist 1H 2 V olcanologist ist 3 Earth observation special

Tell your teacher

4 Palaeontologist eoscience data analyst 5G

This article was created in partnership with Geoscience Australia.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

W hat is Geoscien ce Australia?

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Psst! Let your te acher know that Geosci ence Australia has fu n and free school resour ces about rocks and minerals.

Shoot for s r a t s e h t rlds?

Dreaming of exploring other wo t!

Let your imagination take fligh

These profiles ar e adapted from Ge t into STEM. Check ou t the full profiles and more on their website.

Sk y-high achievement

In her first year at uni, Harriet failed physics and had to retake it. “It ’s ok to fail, and it’s OK to get discouraged,” she says.

It may have slowed Harri et down, but it hasn’t held her back. She’s alrea dy worked at worldclass space companies, including NA SA! One of the secrets to Ha rriet’s success is volunteering. “It’s a way for me to develop essential skills outside of engineering, such as communication!”

Harriet Hunt Aerospace systems engineer Experiment

WORDS: JASMINE FELLOWS | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK

Build an alien planet t!

Time to invent a new plane Grab a tray and use sand, slime, playdough and craft t’s supplies to model the plane surface. Are there weird mountains, rainbow volcanoes, rock islands, or flowing lava?

Remember to tidy up when you’re done!

Dr Kirsten Banks Astrophysicist Talking space

but ce since she was little, ien sc d ve lo s ha n te rs Ki t in primary school. her grades weren’t grea gh school, ever yt hing Then, when she got to hi cked, and maths and changed. “Something cli nse,” she says. science began to make se study ing astrophysics, Kirsten has just finished lps us understand stars, a ty pe of science that he w she’s an astrophysicist planets and ga laxies. No cator! and a science communi

This article was created in partnership with Get into STEM, the Diversity in STEM Toolkit.

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PRIMARY

I WANT TO ...

M E T S e h t Find s e i b b o h r in you aths behind these m d an g rin ee gin en y, log no Discover the science, tech STEM in your hobby to win. e th t ou ab us ll te en th d an popular hobbies

Baking

s make Science: Chemical reaction harden. baked goods rise, brown and microwaves Technolog y: Machines like sier. and blenders make baking ea ned to heat Engineering: Ovens are desig y don’t burn. your creations evenly so the make sure the Maths: Measurements help ient is used. right amount of each ingred

Kayta the software engineer likes cooking and baking in her spare time!

Fishing Science: Knowing how water pressure and temperature affect fish behaviour can help you catch them.

Technolog y: Navigation too ls like GPS and sonar help find fish.

Engineering: Different mater ials help make fishing rods both stron g and flexible.

Maths: Calculate the length and weight of the fish you catch!

WORDS: LOUISE MEERS | IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

Gaming

use physics Science: Game developers to make games look realistic. nsoles, Technolog y: Gamers use co to play.

TVs, computers and phones coded Engineering: Video games are by software engineers. ng Maths: Graphics are made usi angles). geometry (shapes, lines and

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Jamie the patisserie chef plays video games when he’s not whipping up desser ts.

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When he’s not sav ing lives, you’ll find Stuart the registered nurse fishing.

Sewing w Science: Understanding ho is fabrics are made and behave . important when sewing items d Technolog y: Computer-aide . rns tte design helps create pa s Engineering: Sewing machine tches. move the needle and form sti measure Maths: Arithmetic helps to rtant for fabric and geometry is impo pattern design.

Siobhan the clinical audiologist sews her ow n clothes to help the environment.

Music Science: Creating music rel eases chemicals in our bodies that can make us feel good.

Technolog y: Computer progra ms can record, edit and enhanc e music.

Engineering: Microphones convert sound waves into electrical signals to amplif y voices or instruments .

Maths: Music involves fracti ons, counting beats and patterns .

Win! Win! Win!

Swimming ce, Science: Propulsion, resistan lp buoyancy and gravity he ter. swimmers move through wa Technolog y: Tech-powered ck watches and goggles can tra an athlete’s performance. ion, Engineering: Water circulat ce filtration and chemical balan g nin sig are considered when de . and building swimming pools s Maths: Calculating distance to and times helps swimmers track their performance.

Meredith the sof tware engineer who loves the guitar and rock music!

She studied music technolog y.

Find the STEM in your hobb y My Myhohobbbby yis:is: ThTheesci scienenceceis:is: ThTheetec technhnolo ologygyis:is: ThTheeenengin gineeeerin ringgis:is: ThTheema maths thsis:is:

Af ter a long day of problem-solving on the job, Bardie th e qualified carpenter loves to go for a sw im.

This article was created in partnership with Future You. 19

•A sk an adult to scan the QR code and send us your entry .

• T here will be one winner at the end of each school term, un til Term 3, 2027.

• T erms and conditions on the Future You website.

PRIMARY

BUILD IT

Building e r u t u f e th eering could be for you.

If you like making things, engin

How many different human-made things can you see around you?

Have you ever wondered who was involved in creating them?

Pretty much every single one involved an engineer – whether it’s a strong bridge, the delicate electronics in a computer, or the waterproof fabric on your raincoat.

Meet the pros

WORDS: ELLEN PHIDDIAN AND VINCENT SCOTT | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK

Here are 4 engineering professionals who got there in completely different ways.

Vincent Scott Head of First Nations and community engagement Experiment Build your imagination ilding Can you imagine a new bu per or vehicle that would be su n or pla helpful? Draw a diagram, blueprint of your creation!

Think like an engineer: • Include arrows to show how things move.

• Use colour coding for different materials.

• Include a list of the materials you’ll use.

Ancient fish traps

Engineering isn’t new for First Nations peoples of Australia. Fo r thousands of years, they have used sm ar t ideas and deep knowledge to care for lan d and water.

One great example is fis h traps, made from stones and natura l mate ria ls. These traps guide fish but don’t catch them all, helping fish and water ways stay healt hy. Fish trap sites were also places wh ere families gathered to share food an d stories.

Vince is a Dunghutti m an who helps learners explore these de signs through Dead lyScience activities that show how science, teamwork, and Caring for Country go together.

This article was created in partnership with Future You and DeadlyScience.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

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Kayta Hackman Riley Software engineer Creating code out of thin

air

Some engineers, like Ka yta, work entirely in the virtual wo rld. Kayta builds things out of code, usin g her computer.

Do your parents listen to the news on their phones, or read ar ticles on an app?

Presenting the news on line is complicated, and Kayta helps make it possible!

Kayta started learning how to code while working fu ll-time in a m arketing job.

“My curiosit y about how things work led me from marketing into software engineering,” she says.

Bardie Somerville Carpenter

uff?

‘Wood’ you like to build st repair

build and Carpenters, like Bardie, rpentry is what’s things made of wood. Ca despeople are an known as a trade, and tra eering. important part of engin rld stops “Without trades, the wo moving,” Bardie says. in carpentry Bardie became interested ourer. This led when she worked as a lab eship. her to start an apprentic gun and that “I fired off my first nail hooked!” was it,” she says. “I was

Kirra Randall Fire artist A flare for the dramatic Ever seen a cool fire show or fireworks display? Pyrotechnicians and fire artists design events like these and keep them safe.

Kirra is a proud Bundjalung woman whose company takes fire shows around the world.

“Drawn to the element of fire from childhood, I had a deep fascination with the movement of flames,” she says.

Kirra started training with fire down on the Tasman Peninsula at age 11!

Her advice? “Don’t be afraid to be different even if it doesn’t make sense to others.”

21

PRIMARY

BUILD IT

e b o t s p e t s r e e n i g n e an

5

’re building! Check it out. ey th at wh r te at m no s, es oc sign pr Engineers all use a similar de ns to solve problems.

Engineers design solutio aths to create designs They use science and m designs can be for tiny that help people. These a phone, or they things like the camera in dersea cables can be massive, like un around the world! connecting the internet processes and Engineers even design that makes your systems like the factor y favourite pen or footba ll. all use a similar Big or small, engineers design process.

Angus tiona l Science At Questacon – The Na Hutchison – students can try and Technolog y Centre y in The Shed. being engineers for a da well! Here’s how to You can do it at home as thin k like an engineer…

Ask

WORDS: ELLEN PHIDDIAN | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK

Once you’ve decided which problem you wa nt to solve, ask as many questions as you can ab out it! Why does it need fixing? Who is affec ted by it? What equipment do you have to fix it? How wi ll you know when you’ve solved it?

Experiment Want some more ideas? home Check out Questacon’s atan Try . ed activities to get inspir earthquake shake or make cardboard cogs!

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

22

“I am incredibly pleased ever y day that I can come into work and mess about to make cool ‘sciencey’ stuff for the betterment of kids.”

Mess about

For Questacon W orkshop Tech nician A ngus Hutchison, Ques tacon is the most fulfill ing way he can use his sk ills as a machinist.

Imagine Now, imagine possible solutions to your problem.

The more ideas you come up with, the better.

Your ideas can be simple, complicated, silly, cool, cheap, expensive, helpful – whatever you like!

You might also want to see how this problem has been solved elsewhere.

“Failure is a necessar y part of learning.”

It’s OK to fail

Learning Experi ences Presenter Ro McP hee says Questacon’s tin ke ring stud io, The Shed, has de monstrated that you don’t ne ed to plan your final st eps before star ting something.

Plan

w down Next, it’s time to narro se one your solutions and choo ll. you think will work we volved Thin k about the steps in you in testing your idea, how ible ss wi ll make it and any po safet y concerns.

Ro McPhee Create Engineers often make prototypes to test their ideas.

These small, early creatio ns let you check if your solution works and help you ide ntify any issues before you di ve into making the real thing!

“I’ve embraced thinking like an engineer: testing ideas, gathering feedback and refining programs.”

Improve

hat Test your design out! W Did worked and what didn’t?

Can people use it correct ly? you change anyt hing? n’t Engineers know they do first e th always get things right ake lots time. That’s why they m d test them! of different versions, an

Thanuri Welaratne

Top tips Tell your teacher

gineering With prog rams like En can learn is Elementary, teachers all sor ts to use engineering for ojects. of fu n and hands-on pr ficer Education Prog rams Of es lov e atn lar Thanuri We is ing eer gin En ru nn ing Elementary workshops for teachers.

Psst!

Ask your teacher to check out Questacon’s online educator resources.

Whether they’re visiting your school, training your teachers, building exhibits or hosting you in Canberra, Questacon staff know a lot about helping students and teachers learn STEM!

This article was created in partnership with Questacon.

23

PRIMARY

GADGETS AND GIZMOS

s r o t n e v n I at work There are plenty of gadgets and gizmos that can make life easier… and way more fun! But how does new tech get invented?

Mikaela Jade Digital storyteller Digital entrepreneur Mikaela founded Australia’s first Indigenous edu-tech company, Indigital. Mik is a proud Cabrogal woman, and her app uses augmented reality to help Indigenous people share extraordinary stories.

True or false?

WORDS: JASMINE FELLOWS | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK

You have to get straight As to be an inventor = False!

– you You don’t need perfect marks tion na mi ter just need great ideas, de when and a willingness to try again t time. firs the something doesn’t work

Be an inventor!

For example… w roduct designer: Create ne •P m fro y, da objects we use every toys to tools. ist: • Internet-of-Things special gets gad Work out systems where ink: can “talk” to each other. Th ras me smart lights, doorbells, ca ssages and other tech that send me to other devices.

Make • Environmental engineer: er our inventions that help look aft an planet, like water filters or cle energy systems.

Meredith Lane Software engineer Music maker

Meredith discovered he r love of STEM through music! Now, sh e’s a software engineer at Google.

Working on the Chrome Accessibi lit y team, Meredith adds features to the web platform to ensure people with disa bilities can use it well.

This article was created in partnership with Future You. CAREERSwithSTEM.com

24

True or false?

Dr Renee Wootton Tomlin Aerospace engineer

Only geniuses work in STEM = False!

STEM careers need all kinds of creative thinkers: storytellers, artists, helpers, adventurers, makers and dreamers. The best teams are made up of people with different strengths.

Be a creative thinker!

Jetsetter Renee is a proud Tharawal woman who joined the Australian Air Force Cadets at 15. She studied aerospace engineering at uni to understand more about how planes work.

Today, Renee is working on how to create more sustainable jet fuel and ensuring there’s enough of it.

Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith Astronomer and science communicator

For example…

• App designer: Plan how an app looks and feels, from colours and buttons, to sounds and style.

• Digital animator: Create animations for movies and games.

•A ugmented reality storyteller: Overlay the world with digital labels, pictures and more! Kind of like Pokémon GO or Pikmin Bloom.

Robots will take all the jobs = False!

Robots and AI help people do tricky, dangerous or boring tasks, but humans still need to design, build, fix and guide them. With humans involved, tech creates new jobs too!

Work with robots!

Cosmic explorer

Lisa wants to know the secrets of the universe! She grew up d loving the night sk y an an all the way to becoming followed that curiosit y pes rked on massive telesco astronomer. Lisa has wo how stars are born. that help us understand Fun fact ding s home-educated before fin Lisa lef t school at 11 and wa ’s no single path into a STEM her way into science. There ites you. career – just follow what exc

25

For example…

•R obotics engineer: Build robots to explore space, help with surgery in hospitals, keep people company or go deep underground.

•A utomation specialist: Program robots to help factories, farms or warehouses work faster and safer.

• Data scientist: Explore huge piles of info to help AI learn new things.

Meet Future You

These profiles ar e adapted from Fu ture You. There are pl enty more people to m eet on their website!

PRIMARY

GADGETS AND GIZMOS

Deadly inventions!

WORDS: DEADLYSCIENCE, JASMINE FELLOWS | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK / IMAGE COURTESY OF ROCK ART AUSTRALIA, PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK JONES

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are Australia’s first inventors. From soap to rock art, there are plenty of inventions to explore!

Strait Islander Aboriginal and Torres y of the scientific peoples undertook man labs today. One steps used in chemical sh soap! stand-out invention? Bu ion because it Soap is a fabulous invent ng your hands keeps us healt hy. Washi water helps stop the properly with soap and use disease. spread of germs that ca of First Nations’ knowledge e plants ‘pharmacy trees’ – nativ er ties packed with healing prop of – comes from cent uries tation observation, experimen and story tel ling. Healing wn practices were passed do through generations!

Want to make bush soap?

These classroom instructions were developed w ith the help of Robinson River School and Mungo orbada Com mun ity, in th e remote Northern Territory.

Scratching the surface

Be curious, ask good questions, and never give up on yourself!” says Josh Waters, a proud Gamilaraay man, PhD candidate and senior research fellow.

Say yes to opportunities outside your comfort zone,” says Rilee Webber, a proud Kokoberran woman and pharmacy student.

A petroglyph (say PET• roh•gliff) is a carving or symbol.

It’s made by scratching a rock ’s surfa ce to reveal a different colour beneath . Petrogly phs have been around since prehistoric times and hold deep cu ltura l knowledge.

Mur ujuga Nationa l Park in Western Australia’s Pi lbara regio n is home to the world ’s largest collection of petrogly phs.

The rock ar t there is up to 50,000 years old. It even includes im ages of extinct animals and early hum an faces!

Make your own petroglyph!

The activity in this video is adapted from the DeadlyScie nce STEM in Schools Program.

This article was created in partnership with DeadlyScience.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

26

r u o y k r a Sp n o i t a n i g a im

These profiles ar e adapted from Ge t into STEM. Check ou t the full profiles and more on their website.

Designer future

Leah is super creative!

She uses her design powers to solve all sorts of tech challenges.

Leah ’s favourite school subjects were English and ar t, so she decided to study communications at uni.

Later on, she went back to uni to explore in terior design, and then dived into the world of wearable tech!

Her advice? “Choose th ings you are passionate about – wheth er or not these always seem complementary.”

Make sure you don’t leave your creativity at the door!” says Leah .

WORDS: JASMINE FELLOWS | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK

Try this!

Rae Johnston Tech reporter

Tech reporter challenge

Geek reporter

tech Be like Rae and become a rch journalist for a day! Resea n how lai exp d a new technology an e you. it impacts young people lik Pick one of these formats: • 150-word news article • 3-minute podcast • 3-minute video segment

Meet Rae, an award-winning journalist who loves to geek out about tech! Rae is the host of ABC Radio National’s Download This Show, iHeartRadio’s Weird Tech podcast, and more.

She also travels the country as a TV host!

“Everything I know about how to do my job, I learnt on the job,” Rae says of her career path.

Rae's advice for landing a job like hers? “Surround yourself with people who support your goals.”

Stor ytelling + Acting + Te

ch

Associate Professor Leah Heiss Health tech designer

Design + Health + Tech

e world of tech. th in t igh br e in sh n ca it w ho Got a creative spark? Discover

This article was created in partnership with Get into STEM, the Diversity in STEM Toolkit.

27

PRIMARY

CODE CRACKING

h t i w y a l P s e l z z u p data Let’s explore how coding and rk. we wo shape our world and the way

Got a massive puzzle collection? Spend your free time solving Rubik’s cubes and breaking out of escape rooms? A code-cracking STEM career could be perfect for you. Here are 7 awesome jobs to think about:

Cryptographer Makes and breaks codes by using their expert problem-solving skills!

Cyber security specialist

Forensic scientist Collects and analyses evidence (a.k.a. data!) from crime scenes to help solve crimes.

Keeps data safe by making sure computer systems have strong security. They also work out where cyber threats are coming from.

Software engineer Writes code to solve problems for businesses and customers.

Animal learning researcher

WORDS: LOUISE MEERS | IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

Creates problem-solving tasks and puzzle experiments to learn how animals think.

Archaeologist Gathers clues and artefacts from ancient sites to solve mysteries from the past.

This article was created in partnership with Future You.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

28

Game designer Comes up with fun puzzles and challenges for gamers to solve and crack!

Surprising STEM careers

gineering and maths Science, technology, en cted places and jobs… can show up in unexpe

Content creator

STEM meter

How much STEM does this job use?

Science: 30% Technology: 60% Engineering: 10% Maths: 50%

The STEM: Graphs and statistics help to tel l non-fiction stories. Content creators also need tech skills to create videos and share their stories through websites and socia l media.

Fashion designer The STEM: Having a good STEM meter knowledge of maths and How much STEM tech (like computer-aided does this job use? design) helps fashion Science: 30% designers create everything from patterns Technolog y: 60% to 3D-printed dresses.

Engineering: 40%

Maths: 60%

Hairdresser

STEM meter

How much STEM does this job use?

Science: 40% Technology: 30% Engineering: 10% Maths: 50%

ng The STEM: Understandi the science behind hair grow th, as well as the chemistry of shampoos and styling products, is so, helpf ul in this career. Al ct lle co maths is required to s. payment from customer

Musician

STEM meter

How much STEM does this job use?

Science: 20% Technology: 40% Engineering: 10% Maths: 50%

The STEM: A musician should understand patterns, symbols, ratios and fractions so they can read and play music, or mix sounds.

Experiment Activity corner

Challenge the Future You team to find the STEM in ANY ca reer!

The trickier the better. Head to futureyouaustralia.com.au/ contact-us and leave a messa ge.

They’ll create a STEM meter for that job and share it in their next newsletter! To check it out, ask an adult to subscribe using this QR code.

Pilot

The STEM: Pi lots are mathematicians! They use speed, altitude and STEM meter aircraft specifications Ho w much STEM to ca lcu late angles of do es this job use? climb and descent.

They also use geometr y Science: 40% to plan routes and stay Technolog y: 60% on course.

Engineering: 40% Maths: 60% 29

PRIMARY

CODE CRACKING

Experiment

r e t u p m Co speak

English alphabet in ASCII code Letter

Binary Code Letter 01000001 a

Binary Code

01000010

C

b

01000011

01100010

D

c

01000100

01100011

E

d

01000101

01100100

F

e

01000110

01100101

G

f

01000111

01100110

H

g

01001000

01100111

I

h

01001001

01101000

J

i

01001010

01101001

K

j

01001011

01101010

L

k

01001100

01101011

M

l

01001101

01101100

N

m

01001110

01101101

O

n

01001111

01101110

P

o

01010000

01101111

Q

p

01010001

01110000

R

q

01010010

01110001

S

r

01010011

01110010

T

s

01010100

01110011

U

t

01010101

01110100

V

u

01010110

01110101

W

v

01010111

01110110

X

w

01011000

01110111

Y

x

01011001

01111000

Z

y

01011010

01111001

z

01111010

A B

Learn the secret language of computers: binary code!

Computers have a secret code made of just 2 things: OFF and ON, like a light switch. It’s called binary.

First, learn to read binary.

Then, use it to make a bracelet.

Top tip

Capital and lowercase Here’s your first task. W hat do you notice? letters have What might the sequen ce of black and a different white squares represent? code. Use the Hint: each group of 8 sq uares represents table to work a let ter. How many let ter s are there? out the word.

Clues in black and white

Black (OFF) is 0. White

(ON) is 1.

WORDS: JASMINE FELLOWS | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK | ANSWER: Uluru

Design your bracelet 1. Write your initials (e.g. M R).

2. Use the ASCII chart to turn each letter into binary (e.g. M = 01001101, R = 01010010).

3. Now represent your initials using black and white squares. Each letter will be made up of 8 binary digits (0s and 1s). e.g. M=

R=

4. Choose 2 bead types – one for black, one for white – and lay out your beads in order.

5. Then, use a different coloured bead (e.g. red) so you can easily mark the start and finish of each letter, and fill in the rest of the bracelet if needed.

6. Thread your pattern onto elastic, tie it off, and boom, you’re a binary whiz!

Code and create Pick any word – your name, a pet, a celeb, anything! – and turn it into binary. Draw black and white squares to match each letter’s code.

30

Gimme more!

Th is activity was adapted from th e Digital Technolo gies Hub.

This article was created in partnership with the Digital Technologies Hub. CAREERSwithSTEM.com

01100001

t s e u q e l z z u P Calling all young puzzle lovers! Hunt down hidden shapes, tackle tricky paths and solve fruity mysteries. How many can you conquer?

Too many triangles!

This shape is practically bursting with triangles – tiny ones, gia nt ones, snea ky ones hiding in plain sig ht… Thin k you’ve got a shar p eye? Count them all!

7

7

4

8

9

4

5

7

6

6

4

9

9

7

8

8

8

6

5

5

6

5

5

Finish

TOCK C-SA 4.0; FRUIT: SHUT TERS , SUBTANGENT.COM, CC BY-N

Sam’s in a fruity fiasco!

They’ve got 3 boxes: one of pear s, one of oranges, and one with a juicy mix of both. But all the labels have fa llen off and been slapped back on the wrong boxe s.

Luckily, you’re here to he lp.

You get to open exactly one box.

You don’t get to look insid e, but you pu ll out a single pie ce of fruit. With that one clue – and the totally wrong label on the front – you know how to fix all the labels.

Which box did you open , and what fruit did you pu ll out?

Ready for a number-cru nching advent ure?

Star t at the bottom-left square (5) and wander up, down, left or right, co llecting numbers like magica l loot. Your qu est? Reach the finish square (4) with a grand total of 53.

Choose wisely… not all paths lead to glory!

TO GLORY: DUNCAN KEITH

A juicy mystery

Path to glor y

Oranges

Pears

Pears & Oranges

Love puzzles?

SOURCE: TRIANGLES & PATH

Start

4

9

Check out the Mathematics Hub for more puzzles just like th is!

This article was created in partnership with the Mathematics Hub. 31

PRIMARY

NEXT STEPS

h c r a e s Job

Tip

Words can go across, dow n an d diagonal ly!

d skills we’ve talked an s er re ca EM ST e th of e m Can you find so the puzzle below? in ng di hi e in az ag m is th in t abou

Word list

Catch these careers: Ba ker Carpenter Food scientist Nurse Software engineer Sleuth these skills: Coding Communication Data analysis Design Teamwork

Match up

Your hobbies and interests say a lot about you…

They even give clues as to what your future job might be!

WORDS: LOUISE MEERS | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK

 You love craft and/or science kits

 Your pet is your bestie

These careers would be purr-fect for you: • Marine biologist • Veterinarian • Wildlife conservation officer

Learn on the job as a: • Carpenter • Electrician • Heavy vehicle mechanic

 Helping people is your

jam

se Put your heart into one of the health roles: • Audiologist • Optometrist • Registered nurse

 You love gem collecting and/or Minecraft You’ll dig being a: • Environmental scientist • Geoscientist • Lab technician

This article was created in partnership with Future You.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

32

Tick the box next to the sentence th at sounds the most like you. Th is w ill re veal exciting STEM career paths you could take.

 LEGO is life

Build a career as a: • Civil engineer • Robotics engineer • Structural engineer

 New tech excites you

These roles will get you charged up: • AI researcher • Machine learning engineer • Software engineer

Shape the future!

This article was created in partnership with CSIRO.

Meet the team!

Meet CSIRO’s own STEM squad, the Young Future Shapers.

What if you could peek inside a real science lab, visit a university, or advise Australia’s national science agency?

That’s exactly what happens when CSIRO’s Young Future Shapers get together. They’re a national STEM team for students in years 5 to 10.

Mathieson Indie game developer in the making 

Age 18

Mathieson creates award-winning video games with family and friends. In 2023, Future Shapers sent his family to PAX Australia, a gaming event in Melbourne, to meet real indie game developers.

Mathieson says, “I met amazing indie developers and realised I could actually do this.”

Since then, he’s gone from being a homeschool student, straight into a tech career with Telstra.

Ever y year, Future Shap ers score persona lised STEM expe riences designed just for them. Thin k: sc ience camps, behind-the-scenes tour s, shiny new tech gear and chats with real scientists.

It’s a boost for students from underrepresented groups in ST EM: Aborigina l and/or Torres Strait Islan der students, girls, and those from low er opportunity or regiona l areas. These ex periences are exactly what’s needed to build confidence, capability and connectio n with STEM.

Ariba Mixing STEM with medicine 

33

Felicity Science traveller

Age 13

Felicity has travelled across Australia as part of Future Shapers. A highlight for her is being part of CSIRO’s Youth Reference Council, a student team that guides the agency’s decisionmaking on youth matters. “Being able to give advice to CSIRO and see it used makes you feel like you’re making a real difference.”

TERSTOCK



| IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUT

Having travelled from Wagga Wagga, Ariba ar rived at the Future Shapers ca mp curious about medicine and left inspired by tech: “F ut ure Shapers helped me reali se that STEM and medicine fit together perfect ly!”

At camp, Ariba learnt about AI, drones and un i life.

Her advice? “Give everyt hing a go – you don’t know un less you go!”

WORDS: JASMINE FELLOWS

Age 15

PRIMARY

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

t r a t s k c i Qu om.

Using this issue in the classro

This issue can be used across Science, Techno logies, Mathematics an d other curriculum areas in years 3– 6.

Teachers can: • Use articles as reading rotations, lesson hooks or STEM exploration prompts • Select activities as stand alone STEM lessons, warm ups or early finisher challenges • Adapt tasks for whole class, small group or independent work.

Health heroes

Curriculum connections • Science Understanding: Biological sciences • Science Inquiry skills • Health and Physical Education

WORDS: DAVID GULLAN | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK

Learning outcomes • Understand how nutrition, exercise and sleep keep the human body healthy.

• Explore how health professionals support people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

• Investigate how everyday choices can improve personal health.

Discussion questions • Why do you think eating a variety of vegetables is important?

• What can you do to keep your heart and muscles strong?

• What can we learn from the Health Heroes that turned their challenges into strengths?

Scaling and adapting activities Pulse power: Collect heart-rate data from the whole class before and after physical activity, then create tables or graphs and discuss the observable patterns and changes.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Amazing animals

Curriculum connections •S cience Understanding: Biological sciences •S cience Inquiry skills •H umanities and Social Sciences: Geography •C ross-curricular Priority: Sustainability Learning outcomes •D iscover that animals have a range of physical and behavioural adaptations that help them survive.

•E xplore why conservation is important for protecting endangered animals and habitats.

•U nderstand how scientists use animal research to solve problems and develop future careers.

Discussion questions •H ow do these adaptations help animals survive in their environments?

•W hat skills or subjects at school might help you prepare for a career in natural sciences?

Scaling and adapting activities Animal superpowers: Choose an animal, research an adaptation that gives this animal its superpower, and share how it helps the animal survive.

34

Earth explorers

Curriculum connections •S cience Understanding: Earth and space sciences •S cience Inquiry skills •H ASS: Geography Learning outcomes • I nvestigate how scientists use observations and technologies to study Earth and other planets.

•E xplain how Earth and space scientists can use their knowledge and skills to help communities.

Discussion questions •H ow does learning about rocks, water and minerals on Earth help us understand space and look after our own planet?

• I f you were a scientist, what would you like to explore about planets or Earth?

Scaling and adapting activities Build an alien planet: Link this to Biological sciences and design an animal that has specially adapted, physically and behaviourly, to survive in this alien environment.

Gadgets and gizmos

Code cracking

Learning outcomes • Recognise how inventions are designed to solve problems and help communities.

• Understand inventing involves testing ideas, and learning from failure.

• Explain how creativity and perseverance support innovation.

Learning outcomes • Understand how information can be represented using codes and patterns.

• Apply logical thinking and problem-solving strategies to puzzles.

• Recognise how coding skills are used in a range of careers.

Discussion question • First Nations peoples were Australia’s first inventors and scientists. How did observation and experimentation help create inventions like bush soap and petroglyphs?

Discussion questions • Why do you think computers use codes instead of regular letters to send and store information?

• Which puzzles do you find the trickiest, and what helped you solve them?

Curriculum connections • Knowledge and Understanding: Technologies and Society • Processes and production skills: Investigating and defining; Generating and designing; Evaluating • Mathematics: Number & Algebra • Mathematics: Statistics & Probability • General Capabilities: Critical & Creative Thinking

Curriculum connections • Knowledge and Understanding: Technologies and Society • Processes and production skills: Investigating and defining; Generating and designing • English: Literacy • Cross-curriculum Priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures • General Capabilities: Critical & Creative Thinking

Scaling and adapting activities Be an inventor: Identify a problem at your school.

Then follow in the steps of the inventors from the article and design a solution to the problem.

Answers

Scaling and adapting activities Binary puzzles: Using binary coding, create your own puzzle and share it with your class.

Job search, p32

1 Too many triangles! p3 ge = 20 triangles 12 small, 6 medium, 2 lar Path to glory, p31 re is one solution: Did you get the loot? He 7 + 4 = 53 5+7+6+6+9+4+5+

A juicy mystery, p31 lutions. Here is one: There are two possible so all ed ‘Pears & Oranges’. As You open the box labell s ar x must contain on ly pe bo is th g, on wr e ar els lab k a pear, you know that or on ly oranges. If you pic e be labelled ‘Pears’ and th ld ou sh ed en op x bo e th s’. es’ and ‘Pears & Orange ot her 2 shou ld be ‘Orang es’ shou ld be labelled as The box labelled ‘Orang e box labelled Pears + Oranges Oranges ‘Pears & Oranges’ and th ‘Oranges’. ed ell lab be ld ou sh s’ ar ‘Pe Pears Pears + Oranges at this table.

Confused? Take a look Oranges Pears

35

Pears

Pick

Oranges

Pear

Pears + Oranges

Orange

PRIMARY

They did what?

Student video competition Help us uncover incredible local STEM stories!

Create a 3-minute video about the STEM achievements of an unsung STEM star for your chance to win $300!

First, find a local STEM Star!

That’s someone who uses science, technology, engineering and maths to solve tricky problems and make the world a better place.

Your STEM Star could be: • A clever creator in your local community.

• A n Aussie hero using STEM to help people around the world.

• A young whiz who’s doing something amazing with STEM.

Then, create a short video about their incredible work. You can: • Draw it • Act it out • Film an interview • Add fun facts and creative ideas!

You don’t need fancy equipment, just imagination and a great story.

Enter the They Did WHAT? student STEM video competition!

The competition is open to all students Foundation to Year 10, from Australian schools.

Entries need to be submitted by a teacher, parent or carer, aged 18 or older. See website for 2026 entry details.

This competition is brought to you by Get into STEM, the Diversity in STEM Toolkit.