Darling Downs kids get hands-on experience in aircraft simulator

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s students from across the Darling Downs region flying army aircraft via virtual reality.

IT’S no secret the percentage of Year 12 students enrolled in higher-level STEM subjects has been in decline for many years.
But people like Major David McEvoy, officer in charge of the Army’s Aviation STEM Motivation Program is hoping the change this through engaging students in exciting hands on programs involving virtual reality flight simulation.

Aviation STEM Motivation Program OIC Major David McEvoy instructs Toowoomba Anglican School student Lachlan Weier in the use of a VR helicopter flight simulator. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“We know students start to drop away from the STEM subjects around grades 6 and 7 so we aim to re-engage students and show them the world of potential career paths that science, technology, engineering and maths can deliver,” Major McEvoy said.

“The Army Aviation STEM Motivation Program is an Army aviation simulation program aiming to increase awareness and develop interest among young people in STEM pathways within roles including pilots, aeronautical engineers, ground crew, mission control, trades people and drone operators.

Lieutenant Reilly Scot of Aviation STEM Motivation Program at Toowoomba Anglican School as students use the VR helicopter flight simulators. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“It’s not about recruiting students or making them think about careers in defence but more about opening their eyes to all the limitless opportunities that can come your way when you study STEM subjects.”

Students from years five and 10 at Toowoomba Anglican School had the opportunity to learn about a range of aircraft and to fly the virtual reality simulators.

“It’s cool to see exactly how physics and aerodynamics apply in the real world,” year 10 student Lachlan Weier said.

Aviation STEM Motivation Program OIC Major David McEvoy instructs Toowoomba Anglican School students Lachlan Weier and Maleah Roberts in the use of a VR helicopter flight simulator. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“Having a hands on experiences like this definitely makes STEM more fun.”

Students at Fairholme College, Oakey State High School, St Saviours College, Centenary Heights State High and St Ursulas College will also get to experience the hi-tech virtual reality flight simulators when the Army Aviation STEM Motivation Program travels to the several schools across the Downs in the coming days.

Aviation STEM Motivation Program OIC Major David McEvoy instructs Toowoomba Anglican School student Lachlan Weier in the use of a VR helicopter flight simulator. Picture: Kevin Farmer