Alongside developing our award-winning EdTech products for schools, Makers Empire also works with partners to deliver a range of custom education and awareness programs as well as competitions. We’re delighted to partner with government departments, Catholic education offices, corporate sponsors, trusts and foundations to deliver custom education programs and competitions to meet their learning objectives whilst also helping students develop creative confidence, Design Thinking skills and an interest in STEM.Â
We are also grateful to partner with universities on research studies to demonstrate the impact of Makers Empire on student learning outcomes and to share our learnings with our community via education conferences and events.Â
Check out what is in the Makers Empire’s Australian calendar so far for 2022. Get inspired and get involved!
Term 1, 2022
Queensland’s Department of Education and Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water and Queensland Manufacturing Institute have teamed up with Makers Empire on a pioneering STEM and additive manufacturing program for schools. Teachers will be introduced to industry examples of new and emerging applications of advanced manufacturing. They will learn how to use innovative maker-based pedagogies to teach 3D modelling, design thinking and design technologies, in integrated ways across the curriculum, in order to support their students to design solutions to STEM related problems. Learn about our customised programs for groups of schools.
Following last year’s successful STEM pilot program, Catholic Education WA and Makers Empire have partnered to deliver a STEM program for Catholic schools. Teachers will be provided with professional learning designed to teach them how to use 3D modelling and design technologies, in integrated ways across the curriculum, in order to support their students to design solutions to STEM related problems. This program is closely aligned with WA’s Design and Technology curriculum and WA’s future job skills and STEM strategies. Learn about our Learning by Design course and customised programs for groups of schools.
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and Makers Empire are teaming up for the Careers in Construction challenge course. Teachers and students will learn about careers and pathways in the construction industry. Students will then work with an industry partner to design sustainable solutions for construction related problems. Learn about our custom education programs.
The History Trust of SA and Makers Empire have teamed up to create the If I Were A Leader challenge course for SA schools. Students will learn about what it means to be a leader reflect on their own leadership qualities. They will examine objects and stories from the History Trust’s collections via in-app videos to explore key qualities that great leaders often have and understand how these qualities are represented in actions and then create designs to represent leadership qualities. Learn about our custom education programs.
UniSA Education Futures at University of South Australia and Makers Empire have partnered on an innovative research project to measure the impact that 3D learning experiences have on the development of students’ spatial skills and dispositions for STEM learning using a Spatial Reasoning Instrument (SRI). This research project also explores the impact on students’ attitudes towards STEM learning as measured by Uni SA’s Schools Attitudes Survey. The research study report will be available at the end of term 1.
Term 2, 2022
How can we use the world’s resources in more sustainable ways in our everyday lives? In this managed term pilot designed for groups of individual schools, students and teachers will explore a new Sustainable Communities Challenge Course. Students will learn about ways to help reduce waste by reusing and recycling. This course aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals: #11 Sustainable Cities and Communities and #12 Responsible Consumption and Production. School customer? Sign up for this managed program now. Not yet a school customer? Sign up for this managed term pilot now.
SA Water have partnered with Makers Empire to create the Water Warriors Challenge Course. Teachers and students will learn more about water as a precious and renewable resource including Indigenous knowledge, water management, and innovative ideas for building cooler, healthier communities. Students will then help design innovative solutions to water related issues. Learn about our custom education programs.
Queensland’s Department of Education and Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water and Queensland Manufacturing Institute have teamed up with Makers Empire on a pioneering STEM and additive manufacturing program for schools. Teachers are introduced to industry examples of new and emerging applications of advanced manufacturing. They will learn how to use innovative maker-based pedagogies to teach 3D modelling, design thinking and design technologies in integrated ways across the curriculum in order to support their students to design solutions to STEM related problems.Â
Following last year’s successful STEM pilot program, Catholic Education WA and Makers Empire have partnered to deliver a STEM program for Catholic schools. Teachers will be provided with professional learning designed to teach them how to use 3D modelling and design technologies, in integrated ways across the curriculum, in order to support their students to design solutions to STEM related problems. This program is closely aligned with WA’s Design and Technology curriculum and WA’s future job skills and STEM strategies.Â
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and Makers Empire are teaming up for the Careers in Construction challenge course. Teachers and students will learn about careers and pathways in the construction industry. Students will then work with an industry partner to design sustainable solutions for construction related problems.
The History Trust of SA and Makers Empire have teamed up to create the If I Were A Leader challenge course for SA schools. Students will learn about what it means to be a leader reflect on their own leadership qualities. They will examine objects and stories from the History Trust’s collections via in-app videos to explore key qualities that great leaders often have and understand how these qualities are represented in actions. Learn about our custom education programs.
Mandi Dimitriadis, Director of Learning at Makers Empire will be presenting two sessions — Designing 3D solutions to reduce infection spread and Modelling and making on Mars — on 4 May at the It Takes a Spark Conference at Thomas Carr College in Melbourne. Attending the conference? Set up a meeting with Mandi.Â
Mandi Dimitriadis, Director of Learning at Makers Empire will be presenting a session called Developing Spatial Reasoning in 3D at the National Education Summit on 17-18 June at the Melbourne Convention Centre. Attending the conference? Set up a meeting with Mandi.
The Royal Adelaide Show has partnered with Makers Empire to host 3D printing competitions for junior and senior students to encourage the development of excellence in technological fields. Entries close in July and entries are exhibited and judged in September during the Royal Show. SA teacher or school leader? Learn more and encourage students to enter the competition.
For the third year, Makers Empire is once again partnering with the South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People to deliver the Space to Dream competition to SA school students.  Using Design Thinking skills and Makers Empire, students are challenged to design a toy for a child their age moving to Mars. Activities run over term 3 but schools have to be registered by term 2. Teacher or school leader? Register your school now.Â
Term 3, 2022
Following a successful Bushfire Brave pilot program last year, Bushfire Kids Connect and Makers Empire are again teaming up to deliver the Bushfire Brave program to more SA schools. Teachers and students will learn about bushfire management and what to expect during a bushfire. Students will then design solutions to help bushfire-affected families from both practical and wellness perspectives. Register your interest to be part of the program.Â
Following a successful Kids in Space pilot program in 2021, The Andy Thomas Space Foundation is teaming up again with Makers Empire for the Kids in Space program. Teachers and students will learn how space technology is being used to solve problems in space and on earth and possible careers in the Australian space industry. Students will then design solutions to real-world problems using their newly acquired knowledge. Teacher or school leader? Register your interest to be part of the program.Â
How can we help protect the many aquatic species that live in our oceans? In this managed term pilot designed for groups of individual schools, students and teachers will explore a new Oceans of Trash Challenge Course. Students will develop an understanding of animal habitats and ecosystems and learn about the impact that pollution and plastics have upon these. This challenge course aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal: #14 Life Below Water. School customer? Sign up for this managed program now. Not yet a school customer? Sign up for this managed term pilot now.
Makers Empire is once again partnering with the South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People to deliver the Space to Dream competition to SA school students. Students are challenged to use Design Thinking to design a toy for a child their age moving to Mars. Activities run over term 3 but schools have to be registered by term 2.Â
The Royal Adelaide Show has partnered with Makers Empire to host 3D printing competitions for junior and senior South Australian students to encourage the development of excellence in technological fields. Entries close in July and entries are exhibited and judged in September during the Royal Show. Learn more and encourage your students to enter the competition.
Mandi Dimitriadis, Director of Learning at Makers Empire will be presenting a session called Developing Spatial Reasoning in 3D at the National Education Summit on 5-6 August at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Attending the conference? Set up a meeting with Mandi.
Lap Leung, Director of Sales at Makers Empire will be hosting a stand at the Australian Youth Space Expo (formerly COSPAR-K) from 7-10 August at The Gallery, ICC, Sydney. Attending the conference? Set up a meeting with Lap.
Term 4, 2022
Following a successful Bushfire Brave pilot program last year, Bushfire Kids Connect and Makers Empire are again teaming up to deliver the Bushfire Brave program to more SA schools. Teachers and students will learn about bushfire management and what to expect during a bushfire. Students will then design solutions to help bushfire-affected families from both practical and wellness perspectives. Teacher or school leader? Register your interest to be part of this program now.
Following a successful Kids in Space pilot program in 2021, The Andy Thomas Space Foundation is teaming up again with Makers Empire for the Kids in Space program. Teachers and students will learn how space technology is being used to solve problems in space and on earth and possible careers in the Australian space industry. Students will then design solutions to real-world problems using their newly acquired knowledge. Teacher or school leader? Register your interest to be part of the program.Â
How can we design products that help others? In this managed term pilot designed for groups of individual schools, students and teachers will explore a new Make A Difference Challenge Course. Students will learn about social enterprise and use Makers Empire to design a product that can be sold to support those in need. This challenge course aligns with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals. School customer? Sign up for this managed program now. Not yet a school customer? Sign up for this managed term pilot now.
Partner with Makers Empire
Learn more about how Makers Empire works with partners, what participating teachers and students say, and how we can help you meet your education objectives.Â
Corporate sponsor, community organisation, funding body, trust or foundation? Learn about our custom education programs.
Government department or education office? Learn about our Learning by Design course and our customised programs for groups of schools.
School district? Learn how we can help you roll out Makers Empire across a school district.
