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CSIRO has launched a new program to connect school students with aviation and aerospace professionals and promote careers in the sector.
Run in partnership with Aviation/Aerospace Australia, the Aviators in Schools program seeks to “bring real‑world STEM learning into classrooms and inspire the next generation of industry talent” with the hope of addressing the ongoing STEM skills shortage.
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“STEM education is critical to Australia’s long-term success and to improving employment opportunities for young people,” said Ruth Carr, director of education and outreach at CSIRO.
“It provides students with the skills and confidence to explore a wide range of career options and contribute to the industries shaping our future.”
Focusing on “flexible industry partnerships”, the program can include activities such as mentoring, site visits, hands-on demonstrations, career talks, and “co-developed projects aligned with curriculum goals”. CSIRO said this would help students understand the connection between STEM learning and “real careers”.
According to Anntonette Dailey, chief executive of Aviation/Aerospace Australia, the scheme “addresses known barriers to participation”.
“Evidence consistently shows that when we have a diverse workforce, we bring in new perspectives, make stronger decisions, and create the kind of collaborative energy that drives real creativity and innovation,” Dailey said.
“We know that a lack of access to relevant role models and mentors, as well as awareness about the opportunities available – especially in non-traditional roles such as engineering and technical jobs – continues to present a significant barrier to participation.
“We are proud to partner with CSIRO to address these gaps and attract new talent, particularly women, to the industry.”
CSIRO said early participants were “already seeing benefits”; one teacher, Steevi-Anne Flack from Findon Primary School in Victoria, said the program “brought fresh ideas and helped us see exciting possibilities” to a new STEM initiative at her school.
“Students were engaged in the lessons and experiments, and it was fascinating for them to see real-world connections, especially when activities like making lava lamps linked to aerospace engineering,” Flack said.
“Sometimes it’s hard for students to connect their learning to real-life scenarios or imagine where their interest could take them. Having someone working in the field share their passion and experiences really helped spark their thinking in STEM.”
CSIRO said its broader STEM Professionals in Schools program supported 1,100 registered teachers and 900 STEM professionals around the country in 2025.
