In March, Indigenous school students from across the country came together to inspire the next generation of Indigenous mathematicians, scientists and engineers – through a video game. We asked them to share their inspirations for the future.
Game On
The Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), the educational program that supports Indigenous students through high school and into university, teamed up with Google for the GAME ON workshop.
During GAME ON the students were mentored by game designers and computer engineers and at the end of the week they pitched their game idea to a judging panel.
This is the first time a maths and science video game was developed by Indigenous kids, for Indigenous kids. During the week we asked the students to discuss maths and science, video games, and their career aspirations for the future. Here’s what they had to say.
Baylee – Brisbane, QLD
“When I finish school I want to be a dog handler in the police force. What did I learn from my mentor at AIME? I learnt heaps! Maths and science? They’re life skills that you simply need to know!”
Tyson – Melton, VIC
“I like basketball, skating and hanging out with my mates. I like playing video games on Xbox. Some of my favourite games are Halo Wars, COD and Gears of War.
After school I’d love to come to AIME as a mentor. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll become a carpenter to build cupboards. Maths is important because you need your maths in every job, especially dealing with money and also if you want to build stuff – you have to learn measurements to work with wood. So they’re really important for my career.”
Jemma – Rockhampton, QLD
“At AIME we learnt about how we could make maths and science more fun. When I grow up I want to be a mechanic or a marine biologist.
Maths and science are basically the two major things you need in life. I’m going to need them for whatever I do. I think we should inspire Indigenous kids to get into these subjects because that’s the most important thing in life”.
Shakayla – Perth, WA
“My hobbies… well I like sport! I play AFL, rugby, cricket, basketball. Sometimes I play games as well, mostly on my phone, games like Colour Switch, Minecraft, Geometry Dash.
After school I want to be a hairdresser, forensic scientist or an architect. Maths and science are the main things you need in your life to understand everything.”
Christian – Coolum Beach, QLD
“I play soccer, and video games. In the future, I want to be a game designer. At AIME, we learned how to speak to people and not to come off in the wrong way. Maths and science helps you when you grow up – getting a job and getting into uni mainly.
You can learn a lot through games, so playing them isn’t a bad thing. For example, if you play minecraft you can learn about the earth and minerals, just like for geography class. You learn from playing that game.”
Molly – Hastings, VIC
“When I went to AIME I really enjoyed the company of the other people and how nice they were. I play mobile games, Xbox and Wii.
My mum and my Nan are painters – my mother does it casually but my Nan sells her art. I like to paint landscapes and the natural world. Doing art makes me feel happy. I’m not sure what I want to do after school but I want to be an AIME mentor because it looks like a lot of fun.”
Juan – Kalgoorlie, WA
“I like to play basketball. When I’m not playing basketball, I play video games. When I finish school I want to get a job as a carpenter so I can build myself a house. I think maths and science are important because I’ll need them in my career like measuring the length of a building.
My advice to kids in the AIME program would be to do the best that you can in school so that you can get jobs later on in life”.
Progress!
This month the Queensland Government will present a Bill to help reduce the impact of our failing justice system on kids.
