Tahnee Dilger: Current Student - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
The first time I imagined myself as an engineer was when I helped my older brother fix his motorbike — I remember thinking how incredible it would be to design and build something that complex. It wasn’t until partway through Year 12 that I decided to apply for engineering, and even after spending my gap year working in rural agriculture, I still wasn’t completely sure it was for me because I really didn't know what it was.
When I eventually moved to Brisbane and began studying, I discovered civil and mining engineering — a field I’d never even heard of growing up — and I knew I was on the right track. Even if the Mobile Makerspace helps just a few students find that same spark or sense of curiosity while they're still in high school, it has the power to open doors to opportunities they may have never imagined possible.
Michael Dilger: Current Student - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Growing up on a property with good access to tools, space to experiment and mentors to teach you isn't something that many kids in any space get. I was lucky enough to have a really great Dad, who really helped me to get involved in experimenting, building and creating at any opportunity. I think that a lot of kids, especially kids who grow up away from resources like a close university get somewhat forgotten by the higher education system.
The Mobile Makerspace is a resource that I would imagine has an immensely positive impact on showing these particular kids that these STEM opportunities are actually available to them too. It's projects like this that I was involved in growing up that gave me the drive to move to Brisbane and study at a University. I hope that exposing kids that are growing up away from the city to this initiative will boost their involvement with STEM related activities.
Inspire future STEM professionals across regional and remote Queensland through an immersive education experience
The UQ Mobile Makerspace initiative aims to bridge the gap for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students outside major city centres. It also supports hands-on creativity and applied problem-solving, encouraging students to explore a wide range of disciplines, from science, technology and engineering through to architecture, design, planning and other fields that benefit from innovative and interdisciplinary thinking.
