Inspiring school STEM students

UNSW SMaRT Centre Director, Professor Veena, has inspired the next generation of science and engineering students in officially opening the Discovery Centre at St Philip’s College in Alice Springs and its new Sustainability Learning Centre.

Designed to be a multipurpose learning environment, the Discovery Centre is strategically located adjacent to the Swag Chapel and the Sustainability Centre to support teaching and learning opportunities with a focus on our commitment to challenge (To Strive), inspiration (To Seek), and environmental sustainability (To Care).

Veena shared her vision for a sustainable future, highlight the importance of creating a circular economy and how using waste as a resource - including various UNSW SMaRT Centre recycling technologies - must be at the centre of our manufacturing future and innovative decarbonisation efforts.

She explained that making sure that our actions today do not have an adverse effect on the potential of present and upcoming generations to exist comfortably on this planet is the essence of sustainability.

Veena said the challenge is very much one of incorporating emerging recycling technologies, like the various ones developed by the SMaRT Centre, into future manufacturing challenges to help make sure we can fulfill our requirements in ways that are financially viable, environmentally responsible and benefits communities.

The Discovery Centre represents the largest construction project undertaken by St Philip’s College in recent years. Key features include:

• Interactive Technologies: The latest in educational technology, including 3D printers and laser cutters, ensures that students have access to cutting-edge tools.
• Inclusive Design: The facility is accessible and supports students with diverse learning and physical needs.
• Sustainability Initiatives: The building has a 75kW solar power system that meets approximately 15% of the school’s electricity requirements. This brings the amount of renewable energy produced by the College to 40%.

St Philip's story on The Discovery Centre