Minister for Defence - Defence supports school-based submarine technology challenge pilot

Minister for Defence David Johnston today announced the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) will sponsor Re-Engineering Australia to undertake a pilot ‘Future Submarine Technology Challenge’ in selected Australian schools next year. 

The school-based challenge will draw on the success of the F1 in Schools Challenge, also run by Re-Engineering Australia and sponsored by the DMO.

“A career in a high-end discipline like systems design or engineering starts well before your first day on the job,” Senator Johnston said.

“It starts with the subjects and electives you choose in school and the tertiary qualifications you aspire to gain.

“Initiatives like the F1 in Schools Challenge, and this new pilot program focused on submarines, are all about encouraging our school students to be pursuing interests in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.”

The Future Submarine Technology Challenge will give participating students hands on experience with core submarine project elements including:

-          Project Management: establishing an organisation (virtual company) to complete the design project, assembling a team, managing the manufacturing process and presenting/marketing the final product.

-          Design and Manufacture: producing a scale model of a submarine hull, a scale model of one of the operational spaces within a submarine used for human habitation, producing virtual 3D models.

-          Science and Engineering: studying the impact of hydro-dynamics and other forces on the design, testing energy generation, storage and usage methods.

The Subs in Schools pilot program will involve five schools in two States, with a balance of city and regional schools involved.

The DMO’s sponsorship of Re-Engineering Australia aims to continue raising students’ awareness of career opportunities in defence industry.

Media contact:

Rebecca Horton (Senator Johnston’s Office):     0427 449 120