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Science, technology, engineering and mathematics students can win a trip to HMAS Stirling as part of a new nuclear-powered submarine propulsion challenge in Australian high schools.
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Designed to motivate Australian STEM students to learn more about nuclear propulsion, the Australia-wide program provides teachers with resources to train students, helping them to develop their own nuclear propulsion engineering plans.
Defence has confirmed that winners will be selected from each state and territory, who will receive a trip to HMAS Stirling in Western Australia where they will take part in an “immersive submariner experience”.
The Nuclear-Powered Submarine Propulsion Challenge is open to students in years 7-12 across all high schools.
“The Nuclear-Powered Submarine Propulsion Challenge presents an opportunity for students across Australia to gain a greater appreciation of the STEM principles behind one of the most significant national projects ever undertaken in Australia, as we prepare to deliver nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy,” Rear Admiral Jonathon Earley, Deputy Chief of Navy said.
“The classroom curriculum provided through this program seeks to inspire students to be more engaged with STEM subjects and see how they are practically applied in the real world. These students and others like them will be our future submariners, engineers and technicians.
“The winners will experience a visit to HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, tour a Collins Class submarine, dine with submariners, and virtually drive a submarine through Sydney Harbour in the submarine bridge training simulator.”
The announcement was made amid large changes to Australia’s submarine acquisition and construction processes ahead of the transition to a nuclear submarine future.
In May, the Commonwealth announced plans for an Australian submarine agency and Australian nuclear-powered submarine safety regulator.
The new agency and a new regulator are being established to help manage Australia’s acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS defence partnership.
The Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) will be responsible and accountable for the management and oversight of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program, while the new independent statutory regulator oversees nuclear safety and radiological protection during the lifecycle of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine enterprise, associated infrastructure, and facilities.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the ASA and regulator will be non-corporate Commonwealth entities within the Defence portfolio and to report directly to the Minister for Defence.
“The Albanese government is delivering on its commitment to the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, which is the single biggest investment in our defence capability in our history,” he said.
“The establishment of the Australian Submarine Agency and the Australian Nuclear-Powered Submarine Safety Regulator are critical elements of delivering this game-changing capability and will ensure the safe and successful implementation of the pathway for Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.
“The ASA will be responsible and accountable for delivering the ambitious program to acquire Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines.”
The ASA will be responsible for cradle-to-grave management including acquisition, delivery, construction, technical governance, sustainment, and disposal.
