GUNNEDAH High School student Coby Higgins took his first roller coaster ride on Wednesday – and it was all from the seat of his classroom.
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The experience was part of the University of Newcastle’s Creative Industries Roadshow, teaching students across the region about animation, virtual reality and filmmaking.
Coby, a year 10 student, took a keen interest in the virtual reality session as he rotated throughout the workshops, alongside 50 other local students.
“I came today because I thought it would be a fun experience,” he said.
“I study drama and forensic science, and now I’m thinking about going to uni to study virtual reality.”
It’s the first time the University of Newcastle has done a roadshow of this kind across this region.
The project, federally funded through the national HEPP grant, is designed to introduce regional students to the scope and range of STEM-focussed creative careers.
The introduction of new technologies and internet accessibility has opened a whole range of new careers.
Dr Susan Kerrigan, a senior lecturer at the University of Newcastle’s School of Creative Industries, is leading the roadshow. She is joined by 12 current Creative Industries students at the university, who are mentoring the high school students throughout the workshops.
“The focus for us is around digital technologies and how that can create future careers,” Dr Kerrigan said.
“It’s not just understanding that there is a potential career here, but also that there’s a pathway to university.
“It might not be through an ATAR, through your HSC. You might go out and work for a bit and then you might think there’s something missing.
“I hope they learn some little tips and tricks and techniques that they can use at home or in the classroom.”
Jack Bruce, a St Mary’s year 10 student, said it was eye-opening at the work that goes into filmmaking.
“I’ve always been interested in this stuff,” he said.
“You realise filming is hard. There’s a lot more that goes into it than you think.”
Roadshow project manager Kristi Street said there were careers in the creative industries that young people could pursue that did not exist as little as five years ago.
The roadshow will visit the Gomeroi Gaaynggal Centre in Tamworth on Friday, with students from Oxley High School, Calrossy High School, Peel High School, Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School set to attend.
