Teachers get into rare air
The truck driver was uninjured.
About 7.30am, a utility and sedan collided in a headon crash on the southern side of the Burdekin Bridge near Home Hill.
A 31- year- old woman was trapped in her car and had to be cut from the vehicle by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services personnel. A 79- year- old man suffered head and arm injuries in the crash.
Both patients were transported to Ayr Hospital in a stable condition. TOWNSVILLE teachers are getting a unique opportunity to fine- tune their drone- flying skills to better incorporate the technology into their curriculum.
Instructor She Flies is hosting a workshop next week at Currajong State School for Townsville teachers to learn about drone education, and reinforce equal opportunities for girls in science, technology, engineering and maths ( STEM).
Townsville She Flies instructor Kerry Beggs said the program’s unique methods of teaching boys and girls differently was a way of reinforcing that girls could aspire to a career using drones.
“The future of our economy relies greatly on people with STEM skills,” Dr Beggs said. “Our programs bring drones and real- life STEM applications into the classroom.
“Despite the fact that there is no reason why girls are weaker in STEM than boys, Australia loses female talent in STEM disciplines from as early as primary school.
“This means that we are not drawing on 100 per cent of our talent pool in STEM careers, and our economy will suffer from the lack of diversity.”
She Flies works with adults and children from Year 5 upwards to give flying, logistics and planning lessons as well as introducing young people to a wide range of potential dronerelated jobs.
“Our workshop is aimed at providing teachers with the opportunity to increase their confidence using new technology and improve digital literacy using drones,” Dr Beggs said. “They’ll learn about drone TAKING OFF: Kerry Beggs from drone instructor She Flies. safety and regulations, as well as how to fly and code their drones for autonomous flight.
“It’s all very hands- on, and based on real- world drone applications.”
With the amount of diversity in the world of drones, Dr Beggs said the technology captured the attention of teachers and students alike.
“Through activities as diverse as aerial survey, obstacle courses, parcel delivery, creative art, and synchronised dance, drones are so much fun that you forget you are even learning,” she said.
“Digital technology is moving very fast, and while children are often very confident embracing it, we find that some teachers and parents are not so confident.
“Girls need to see that being female is no barrier to pursuing STEM careers and that there are incredible women already doing just that.”