School: Illawarra Sports High School (NSW)
Partner: The Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net)
Illawarra Sports High School has an enrolment of over 950 students. In addition to local students, the school draws students from a wider area to participate in the schools Targeted Sports Program. The School caters for a diverse range of students including some who are from low-socio economic and high unemployed backgrounds. At the same time, the local manufacturing industry has experienced a shortage of skilled labour. This has led to a creative partnership between Illawarra Sports High School and the Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net), a group of local engineering and manufacturing companies.
The partners have collaborated to create the Industry Mentoring Program (IMP). Selected students are mentored by industry members of i3net through project based activities. Each year, the i3net offers an IMP based on suggestions from the school and the availability of mentors and resources from i3net members. Students apply to participate in the IMP, and a selection process is implemented. The students work on the project over the year, using advanced computer software and hardware in the design stages and then complete the project to industry standards using the appropriate machinery and equipment. During this project, team members meet regularly to evaluate progress, and gain valuable experience in working as members of a team and meeting the exacting standards of industry. Finally, presentations are made to the i3net board and to public meetings.
The project offers students an opportunity to connect their school work with industry thereby creating a genuine sense of relevance and authenticity in both their informal and formal learning experiences.
In 2008, students developed a self supporting conveyer using a system of interlocking prisms, and the 2009 project was a highly detailed multi layered urethane entrance mat. Each project requires substantial problem solving, communication, self organisation, leadership and team work skills. At the end of each project students have developed and finely tuned key employability skills which assist them with making positive transitions from school to their preferred post school destination. For 2010, it is hoped to develop a project looking at the issue of emergency housing for disaster relief.
The benefits to the students who have participated in the program have been considerable. In addition to the specific skills learnt during the design and manufacturing stages of the projects, they have gained other industry relevant skills such as report writing and public speaking. They have learnt the need for persistence in seeing a project through from the development of an idea through to the end product. They have gained valuable knowledge of the way a workplace operates, including, the importance of safety procedures and interrelationships between businesses. They have made valuable contacts with local industry and have become aware of the career opportunities available in manufacturing, with a number of students from the 2008 and 2009 cohorts now studying engineering at university. As the IMP continues to evolve, the project now benefits from past students returning to the project to become project mentors for the next group of students.
The school and industry partners are committed to the continuation and expansion of this innovative program.
The Impact Award funds will enable the program to be enhanced and extended to include a greater diversity and a greater number of students. In addition, the grant will mean the students' learning experiences will be enriched by being given the chance to work closely with equipment and resources that previously may not have been available for them to access.
