Innovation to take flight at robotics comp

Queensland’s young innovators are being invited to showcase their ideas in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) through an international student flying robotics competition.

Visiting Queensland University of Technology’s open day at Gardens Point today, Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham said it was important that the state continued to cultivate its best and brightest minds.

Dr Lynham said initiatives like the annual Queensland Unmanned Arial Vehicle (UAV) Challenge - a joint QUT-CSIRO initiative which has been supported with $30,000 over two years from the State Government - were important to get students thinking about how to use technology to solve real-life problems.

He said registration for the competition would close on Wednesday and encouraged students keen on STEM to sign up.

“Advance Queensland and the review of STEM was front and centre in the state budget,” Dr Lynham said.

“The program here today is about giving high school students the opportunity to use STEM in a lifelike situation in one of the largest flying robotics competitions in the world.

“This year’s challenge tests how well students can use UAVs to respond to a hypothetical emergency situation in which a person has had an allergic reaction.”

Dr Lynham said that under the scenario, fictional character ‘Outback Joe’ requires an EpiPen delivered to his remote property so he doesn’t go into anaphylactic shock.

“As someone with experience in the medical professional, I’m very excited by the prospects that these devices could offer people in difficult circumstances in remote areas,” Dr Lynham said.

Science and Innovation Minister Leanne Enoch said the UAV Challenge was a chance for the students to push the limits of current design and performance.

“The Palaszczuk Government recognises engineering and robotics are a vital part of Queensland’s growing knowledge-based economy,” Ms Enoch said.

“That’s why the Queensland Government is investing $180 million in the Advance Queensland initiative, which ensures students of today have the skills they need for the jobs of the future.

“The Advance Queensland initiative recognises the importance of STEM in our schools and will expand STEM to coding, computer science and robotics through the $50 million Best and Brightest Fund.

“The challenge provides a fantastic platform for some of our most talented students to showcase their innovative ideas, and potentially in the long-term make a real difference to the lives of many Queenslanders.”

The competition will be held from September 29-30, 2015, at Calvert Radio Aero Modelers Society flying field, Bourke’s Road West, Calvert (approximately 25 km west of Ipswich. For details and to enter visit www.uavchallenge.org/high-school/

[ENDS] 26 July, 2015

Media contact:           Jan Martin       0439 341 314