Week 2: Aviatrix Adventures
With a gut full of caramel tarts from the Goondiwindi bakery, it was time for Georgie Arnold (Aviatrix Manager) & Jameson Harvey (Red Dirt Robotics founder) to trek out to prepare for week 2 of the tour. The encounter with the outback camping lifestyle was immediate and visceral, as sleeping near a creek led to a night of battling mosquitos, a rookie mistake but one that would not dampen their spirits. This week was just the beginning of a series of workshops designed to bring the wonders of STEM to students in remote locations, that saw them traveling from Meandarra to Morven, and then onto Charleville, spreading enthusiasm and sparking curiosity with each stop.
In Meandarra, the energy of the students was infectious, their excitement a clear indicator of the hunger for knowledge in regions often overlooked by mainstream educational initiatives. Moving on to Morven, the adventure continued with a stay at the grooviest little gidgee camp, an experience made all the more memorable by its affordability (only $11!!!) and the mob of poddy calves that welcomed them. Each workshop, from preps to year 6, was an adventure in itself, filled with robotics, 3D printing, and even pilot practice exams, showcasing the diverse range of skills that STEM encompasses.
However, it wasn't all work and no play for Georgie and Jameson. The long weekend offered them with a chance to explore the natural beauty of the Australian landscape. The highlight of their downtime was a visit to the Charlotte Plains Hot Springs, where they could unwind in the soothing 46-degree bore water bath. ... Well it was all fun and games until the wet weather brought mud and so much of it, which resulted in the poor troopy getting bogged for over 30 minutes. The two fresh adventurers quickly turned into a grubby, smelly, muddy mess!
Despite this, the journey was filled with unforgettable experiences, memories and many mudtracks. Georgie and Jameson's story is a reminder of the impact that dedicated individuals can have on communities, bringing knowledge and excitement to learning, while also embracing the adventures that come their way.