Engineering in Action

Interested in connecting maths, science, and digital technologies to real-world engineering? Discover practical, hands-on learning opportunities at the Engineering in Action professional development day at UQ!

This professional development experience is designed for maths, science, physics, digital technologies, and engineering teachers who want to build their confidence in translating abstract STEM concepts into practical classroom learning. Through interactive workshops, a makerspace tour, and collaborative sessions, you’ll gain practical strategies, access ready-to-use classroom kits, and connect with peers and industry.

What you will receive: You will receive a certificate of participation, access to all tools, websites and software used during the PD, membership in a Community of Practice, a copy of teaching resources and ongoing educational support beyond the PD

Learning Objectives

• Strengthen understanding of engineering fundamentals
• Learn how to connect classroom concepts to real-world problem solving
• Gain confidence teaching engineering applications and assessmentsDiscover engaging, hands-on activities and kits adaptable for school settings
• Build networks with fellow teachers, UQ experts, and industry partners

Schedule

8:45am: Welcome – we will meet at the University of Queensland in Collaborative Room (49-301) at the Advanced Engineering Building.

• 9am: Learn Through Play – Countdown - A collaborative ice-breaker session where teachers share classroom successes and challenges when integrating STEM concepts— setting the stage for peer learning and reflection.
• 9:30am: Engineering Challenge – Build - Get hands-on in UQ Innovate’s makerspace as you build and test a small engineering project that simulates real-world engineering design while exploring the forces at play. In partnership with the Women in Engineering student team, this session includes interactive demonstrations, classroom-ready kits, and a fun quiz to reinforce learning. You’ll also learn how to adapt these activities for your own classroom to boost student engagement, strengthen problem-solving skills, and make teaching maths, physics, digital technologies, and engineering more engaging and accessible.
• 10:30am: Morning Tea –enjoy morning tea in the atrium of the Advanced Engineering Building.
• 11am: Hands-on Workshops – From Theory to Practice - Explore how core STEM concepts underpin real-world engineering applications and how these directly align with the curriculum. In this practical session, teachers will gain a clear understanding of key engineering fundamentals relevant to secondary maths, science, physics, and digital technologies, and learn effective strategies to assess and translate these concepts into engaging, accessible classroom experiences.
• 12pm: Guest Speaker –hear from an industry partner who will share how engineering concepts translate from the classroom to real-world applications. This session connects teachers directly with industry perspectives.
• 12:20pm: Q&A
• 12:30pm: Tour – explore UQ Innovate’s state-of-the-art facilities and see the tools and technologies used to bring engineering projects to life.
• 1pm: Lunch –enjoy a delicious lunch in the atrium of the Advanced Engineering Building.
• 1:30pm: Knowledge Share: Teaching and Assessment – explore what teachers need to successfully deliver engineering in schools, with a focus on assessment design, moderation, and industry connections. This session unpacks how current assessment tasks align with real-world engineering practice and provides practical examples of how to connect students with genuine industry experiences through initiatives such as Energy Queensland’s Professor of Practice program.
• 2:45pm: Reflection –revisit learning objectives and engage in a group discussion, sharing one key takeaway that you plan to implement today.