"Today's students will shape tomorrow's industries," says Brenton Wyett. He's the manager of Education programs at software company Autodesk, who today has launched a major, $25 million pledge to help kids in Australia and New Zealand get the best start on shaping those industries.
While many people are still coming to terms with the concept of STEM fields - that is, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - there's been a recent push to turn STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) into STEAM by the addition of Arts and Design. Schools and universities around the country are looking for ways to prepare students for careers in these fields, and Wyett believes Autodesk may have found the solution.
After enjoying more than 30 years at the top of its game, Autodesk has opened its doors, offering secondary schools, vocational institutions and universities free access to its professional 3D design software and creativity apps. This software, muses Wyett, can be used to create a more multi-disciplinary approach in secondary school, and can then be carried over into university and beyond.
The aim is to help create an Australian workforce able to tackle the employment landscape of the near future, with skills covering natural resource management, sustainable design and effective urban planning.
Wyett explains the company wants to equip - and inspire! - the next generation of Australian innovators. "With free access to Autodesk software," he says, "schools can expose students to the technological advancements that are revolutionising the professional world — from cloud and mobile technologies to 3D printing." The software is expected to reach more than 3,400 schools, both independent and public.
Several schools are already incorporating Autodesk learning resources, apps and software into their current curriculum. Newcastle's Merewether High School relies on the technology for its entry into this year's international F1 in Schools design competition. Technology teacher Michael Platt says the students love being given the opportunity to use the same 3D tools as the professionals.
"As an educator it is really exciting to see students become proficient in industry standard tools at such a young age," says Platt. "It gives our future designers and engineers a tremendous head start."
For the current batch of students, that head start is already significant: The Merewether High School team Southern Cross Racing has qualified for the F1 in Schools competition finals in Abu Dhabi.
But it's one thing to offer a suite of professional-grade software to schools for free, but it's another when you realise there's nobody who can teach how to use it, or how to fit it into their classrooms. Autodesk claims to have that bit covered, too. Alongside the software pledge, the company is launching a program to train secondary school teachers. Design the Future has been created to educate the educators, not just with free software training, but also with project-based curriculum ideas on how to then integrate those newfound software skills into standard lesson plans.
"We've recently expanded the use of Autodesk software in our Physics curriculum by having students design, 3D print and present a space-based observatory as part of their study in multi-wavelength astronomy," says Milorad Cerovac, science and technology educator at Melbourne's independent King David School. Used to support the school's FIRST Robotics and CanSat programs, Cerovac explains that Autodesk tools have played a major part in inspiring students to consider a career in engineering.
With a suite of software ranging from the classic AutoCAD to 3D modelling and animation tools like Max and Maya, and the 3D mechanical CAD program Inventor, Autodesk is offering more than just its biggest names. The selection of software on offer for educators also includes professional video editing and effects, a program that will help architects design more energy-efficient buildings, and one dedicated to building better bridges.
Of course, the support (and free software) doesn't just stop when students graduate high school - University of Technology Sydney also uses Autodesk software. Heather MacDonald, associate professor & head of the School of Built Environment, Faculty of Design Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney, says the company's support has placed the institution "at the leading edge of the Australian construction industry."
"Working with Autodesk has also transformed the way we teach cost management and construction technologies, enabling students to think seamlessly in three, four, and five dimensions," MacDonald says. "In addition to working through traditional applications of the software, such as scheduling and clash detection, students are able to render their designs as immersive, photorealistic, 3D environments. This allows for more detailed critique, and enhancing learning."
For more information on the Autodesk education pledge, or to find out just what free software is available for educators, visit www.autodesk.com/academic.