STEM Pathways: VR and Beyond

STEM Pathways: VR and Beyond is a project designed to provide immersive futures for young people from multicultural communities, making STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) pathways real through virtual reality. The project aims to engage participants in STEM education through interactive and immersive activities.

The project targets high school students and other young people aged 12-18 years old from refugee and migrant communities in Toowoomba and Darling Downs.

The project includes:

• VR Training Program: An 8-week program where participants learn 3D design and virtual world creation, tailored to their skill levels.

• Holiday Program: Practical experiences with VR headsets, including guided tours of the Science Immersion area, workshops on scientific inventions and career pathways, and VR immersion games.  

• Showcase Week: A graduation-style event where participants present their virtual worlds to their families and community members.

The project aims to:

• Upskill young migrants and refugees in 3D design and virtual world creation, opening up new career opportunities in STEM.  

• Educate participants on diverse career opportunities and pathways in STEM.  

• Provide practical skills and knowledge in STEM fields.  

• Increase accessibility and participation in STEM for diverse youth.  

• Develop ongoing STEM skills through inquiry-based learning.

Participants will undergo an 8-week VR training program, where they will learn the fundamentals of 3D design and the principles of creating virtual world environments. This program will be tailored to their skill levels, starting with basic concepts and gradually progressing to more advanced techniques.

Objective: To upskill young migrants and refugees in 3D design and virtual world creation, opening up new career opportunities in STEM, particularly in areas like game design, architecture, and virtual environment development.

Workshop Dates:

• April 30th

• May 7th

• May 14th

• May 21st

• May 28th

• June 4th

• June 11th

• June 18th

Objective: To educate participants on the diverse career opportunities and pathways that stem from scientific inventions and innovations.

Each session will include practical experience using VR headsets, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the environments they create. This hands-on approach will help solidify their learning and inspire creativity. This will be held in the Science Immersion area at C+C.

• Guided Tours and Workshops: Participants will take part in guided tours of the Science Immersion area, where they will learn about various scientific inventions and how these have led to career opportunities in different STEM fields. These sessions will be hands-on, encouraging students to interact with exhibits and engage in discussions about the practical applications of these technologies.

• Career Pathways Exploration: During these sessions, we will link the exhibits and inventions to real-world career pathways, helping participants understand how their interests in science and technology can translate into meaningful careers. This will include discussions on careers in engineering, biotechnology, environmental science, and more.

Students will also be able to use VR Immersion games that relate to careers in STEM.

Showcase Week: The final week of the program will be dedicated to a showcase event, where participants will present their virtual worlds to their families and community members. This graduation-style event will allow families to explore the virtual environments created by the participants using VR headsets, celebrating their achievements and progress. It will also promote STEM careers opportunities, guest speakers and more.