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The cross-sector partnership has been established to boost STEM participation in urban and regional communities across Australia.
Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA) has teamed up with the University of Newcastle to deliver 10 Science and Engineering Challenge events across Newcastle, Canberra and Adelaide.
The outreach program — hosted by the University of Newcastle with the support of rotary clubs, universities, government and industry — aims to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) participation in urban and regional communities.
LMA’s contribution to the program includes a $20,000 donation to fund Challenge Days for Year 9-10 high school students, providing firsthand experiences across science and engineering.
LMA engineers have previously attended the regional Challenge Days to mentor students, judge and score activities for their design and efficiency.
“Lockheed Martin Australia is highly committed to growing the future STEM workforce needed across fields such as cyber, artificial intelligence, machine learning, systems integration to create a stronger, self-reliant Australian defence industry base,” Lockheed Martin Australia’s AIR6500 Australian Industry Capability manager Sam Wong said.
“Over 40 per cent of our global workforce are scientists or engineers. That’s approximately 60,000 engineers, so it’s critical that we invest in developing our future workforce that will design the next generation technologies to solve the complex challenges of tomorrow.”
University of Newcastle’s Science and Engineering Challenge director, Professor Steven Weller, welcomed LMA’s support, noting opportunities to bolster STEM participation.
“We are delighted to have the partnership of Lockheed Martin Australia to connect students with qualified engineers and dynamic STEM activities to expose them to the exciting career pathways on offer within Defence industry,” Professor Weller said.
“Along with Lockheed Martin Australia and our partners’ invaluable sponsorships, this year’s Science and Engineering Challenge attracted the participation of over 3,000 high school students from across Australia. It’s a tremendous result in connecting young people with STEM choices.”
LMA’s broader commitment to promoting STEM careers has included employing more than 94 Early Career employees, representing 8 per cent of the company’s total workforce in Australia.
[Related: Lockheed Martin Australia to participate in federal government’s ‘Career Revive’ program]
