In 2022, young engineer Jameson Harvey founded Red Dirt Robotics with a vision to bring hands-on, innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) experiences to young people in remote, rural and regional Australia. Recognising the disparity in STEM education between metropolitan and rural areas – with students in regional communities are an average of 1.5 years behind – Jameson set out to empower, inspire and engage the next generation of young engineers. His journey has since evolved into a story of resilience, new connections and a growing momentum for equitable education across the outback.

Jameson’s efforts were first recognised through the ABC Trailblazers program, through which he received an initial grant to build Red Dirt Robotics’ organisational capacity. Following this, he secured an FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grant and, most recently, a Backing the Future Grant, supported by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF). With these funds, Jameson has made significant strides in breaking down barriers to STEM education for remote youth.

“We all know that working in regional and remote communities, where access to robotics and 3D printers is hard to come by, is challenging,” Jameson shared. “To see students walk into the classroom a bit nervous and unsure about these fancy technologies, and then, by the end of the session, walk away confident in programming and design skills – even skills that were tricky for me to learn – is incredibly rewarding.”

In 2024, Jameson launched a three-month tour throughout rural and regional Queensland, supported by his Backing the Future Grant. Red Dirt Robotics visited 34 schools and organisations, delivering 64 interactive workshops, giving more than 900 young people the opportunity to build and program their own robots using 3D printing technology and the Micromelon Rover robotics platform. For many of these students, it was their first experience with STEM beyond a textbook.

The tour wasn’t just a learning experience for students; it also engaged nearly 100 teachers and school staff, equipping them with the tools and confidence to incorporate STEM into their own classrooms. With this hands-on experience, teachers are now better prepared to sustain STEM education within their schools. “It’s so important for me that schools and libraries don’t have to pay anything. Being able to remove that extra barrier to access STEM and technology is really exciting,” Jameson noted.

A particularly rewarding aspect of the tour was the partnership Jameson formed with Georgie Arnold of Aviatrix Australia, whom he met at the ABC Heywire Trailblazer Summit in Canberra. Together, they brought a unique combination of aviation futures, robotics, 3D printing, and drones to rural Queensland.

“After our presentations in Canberra, a lady handed me a sticky note saying, ‘I would love to see a partnership between Aviatrix and Red Dirt Robotics,’” Jameson recalled. “Georgie and I had already been brainstorming how to make it happen and it was fantastic to see it come together.”

Through these collaborations, Red Dirt Robotics’ workshops exposed students to a broad array of technologies and career pathways in fields that are often under-represented in rural areas. The impact is tangible; several schools have since committed to prioritising STEM education, ensuring that these introductory experiences are just the beginning of an ongoing journey. For Jameson, it’s a powerful reminder of the importance of consistent support and resources in sparking interest and building skills.

Reflecting on the support he received, Jameson expressed deep gratitude for the programs and funding that have helped him reach communities across Australia.

“I owe a lot to the Trailblazer and Backing the Future programs in helping me get to where I am today,” he said. “The FRRR ABC Heywire Innovation Grant allowed me to visit two really remote schools, including One Arm Point and Groote Eylandt, where I ran workshops and provided gear to have that follow-on effect once I leave.”

Jameson’s story is a testament to how a passionate individual, with the right resources and support, can drive meaningful change – even if his trusty Land Cruiser has seen better days. Red Dirt Robotics isn’t just about teaching students to build robots – it’s about building confidence, bridging educational gaps, and inspiring young people across the outback to envision a future where they can thrive and shape their communities in innovative ways.

Hear more about this project on VFFF’s Stories of Giving and Receiving podcast here.

Applications for the next round of Backing the Future – QLD grants, which help individuals bring to life ideas they have to enhance the lives of people aged 12-30, close 17 March 2025.

Did you know that some schools in remote Australian communities might have as few as 15 books in their library?

That discovery in 2017 prompted Corey Tutt to start sourcing and supplying resources himself, initially from his personal library. DeadlyScience Limited was established in 2020, and is now a registered charity. Through DeadlyScience, Corey is seeking to inspire a new generation of scientists.
It focuses on providing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and early learning reading resources to remote Australian schools to help increase engagement.

The initial priority is schools with a high proportion of Indigenous children. Where possible, and appropriate, DeadlyScience sources materials from Indigenous authors, artists, and translated versions in Indigenous languages. In the three and a bit years since inception, DeadlyScience has had more than 110 schools requesting resources.

They have delivered more than 16,000 books, 500 telescopes (and basic science kits), 80 educational resources and six greenhouses (plus seeds, and educational materials to support food production projects) to more than 100 Australian schools and/or communities.

This growth looks set to continue as the organisation gains more momentum and profile. Another key activity involves maintaining a website to support teachers in remote schools with access to high quality scientific research and relevant experts in their fields (also of Indigenous background, where possible). 

In 2020, DeadlyScience partnered with FRRR to set up a Not-for-Profit Fundraising Account, allowing them to attract tax deductible contributions from a broad range of donors to expand their activities and support the overall capacity and operations. 

You can add your support by donate securely online, or check out the DeadlyScience website to learn more about their work.

To learn more about opening a Not-For-Profit fundraising account, get in touch with Jo Kemp.