Our EduVenture program has been busy this term, providing students with hands-on opportunities to explore future pathways and career possibilities. Following successful TAFE Campus tours earlier in the year for those students interested, interested Stage 5 students from Wingham High, Great Lakes College (Forster), and Taree High visited Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie to experience what university life might be like directly from university students. Students explored the campus, engaged in interactive workshops, and discovered the wide range of study and career options available to them. It is always great to get feedback from families with one parent commenting that “my son who is hell bent on leaving school and being a tradie has changed his tune and now said he might be interested in going to Uni to be a physio or paramedic”.

The EduVenture team also took our Virtual Reality Career Exploration sessions to Alesco Secondary College, MCCC and Chatham High School, where students had the chance to virtually step into a variety of careers. At Chatham High, the experience was complemented by a mentor visit from a local engineer and staff from CSU, who spoke with the Stage 4 CHACE team about future opportunities as part of their High Potential and Gifted Education Program.

EduVenture has also been proud to support the Mid Coast Christian College (MCCC) Ignite Program, where student teams have spent the year designing, building, and racing their carbon-powered, 3D-printed cars. On race day students had to create a trade display, explain their business portfolios, and deliver a verbal presentation. The TUC team were so proud of the development we saw in the students throughout the year, a true credit to the program. We were fortunate to have several local business mentors guiding students throughout the process and joining us as judges on race day—an exciting celebration of innovation, teamwork, and STEM learning.

Through these activities, EduVenture continues to connect students with inspiring experiences that help them imagine and plan their futures.