Look up as STEM takes off
On August 14, the sky was the classroom for more than 5000 students.
Pacific Airshow’s 'Students with Altitude' day brought students from across the Gold Coast together with ADF personnel, aviators and astronaut GPCAPT Katherine Bennell-Pegg, to explore where science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) can take them.
Held on the opening day of the Pacific Airshow, students got the chance to get up close with the aircraft and people who fly, maintain and support some of Australia’s most advanced air capabilities.
The event also featured the NXTGEN STEM Lab, a collaborative experience designed to get students thinking, building and exploring STEM in a fully immersive environment.
Alongside this, the Air Force Roulettes showcased the precision and discipline of military flying, while 100SQN connected students with aircraft that have shaped Australia’s aviation history.
But the day was about more than watching aircraft.
Students put their questions directly to ADF personnel, diving into everything from careers in Defence to what it takes to operate, maintain and support complex aviation systems.
For many, the highlight was hearing from GPCAPT Bennell-Pegg, who shared insights into her journey and the skills, curiosity and determination needed to pursue a career in aerospace.
The astronaut said it was an honour to meet thousands of young people excited by the possibilities of STEM.
“I hope today reminds people to look up,” she said.
“So many of the world’s problems need to be solved by people being inspired by the incredible talent on display today and the teams behind them.”
She noted that seven in 10 Australian primary school students say they want to go to space – and today, they saw the pathways that can take them there.
“There's something almost emotional about being at an airshow,” she said.
“It puts a smile on everyone’s faces when [they] hear the roar of the engines and see the incredible performance – those moments where human and machine come together. I find it incredibly motivating, and it’s really special to see.”
GPCAPT Bennell-Pegg’s story offered a powerful reminder that STEM can take you into the cockpit, onto an airfield or into the world of space exploration.
Students also had the chance to experience a small taste of flying themselves.
“Everyone that tried our Classic Hornet simulator walked away with the biggest smile,” PLTOFF Joshua Groenland said.
“I think today helped them understand how integral STEM is in aviation and all the pathways in Defence that align with that interest.”
For students gathered at the Pacific Airshow, science and technology were no longer just subjects in a classroom. They saw STEM in action, met the people who apply it every day, tried their hand at aviation through the simulator and asked questions about the skills and careers that support Australia’s Defence capability.
For one day, the Gold Coast became a classroom with a runway, a flightline and the sky for a ceiling.
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