What can one of Australia’s oldest working railway workshops teach young people about the future?
For students from Bellbird Park State Secondary College, the answer came to life during Continuum: Inventing Tomorrow, an immersive three-day learning experience delivered at Queensland Museum Rail Workshops during National Science Week.
Running from 17 to 19 August, the inaugural Intensive Learning Program transformed the museum into a living classroom where Year 9, 10 and 11 students explored manufacturing, power, transport and emerging technologies while discovering how innovations of the past continue to shape the world around us today.
Delivered through Queensland Museum’s new three-year partnership with the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), the program brought together the strengths of both organisations to create hands-on learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom.
Throughout the program, students participated in museum-based investigations, engineering and technology activities, and career development workshops led by UniSQ academics and educators. Rather than simply learning about STEM, students were encouraged to think critically, solve problems and explore future study and career pathways.
Set against the backdrop of the historic Rail Workshops in Ipswich, the program demonstrated the unique role museums can play in connecting collections, stories and places with contemporary learning. Surrounded by examples of Queensland’s industrial ingenuity, students could see firsthand how curiosity, creativity and innovation have driven technological progress across generations.
Bellbird Park State Secondary College student Misionare Feauai reflected on the hands-on nature of the program.
“It helps us understand all the things we’ve been taught.
“It’s been pretty inspiring, it’s nice to see that many small things have great opportunities for us and that even a small role can play such a big part in our future.”
By combining Queensland Museum’s collections and learning environments with UniSQ’s academic expertise, Continuum: Inventing Tomorrow created meaningful opportunities for students to engage with real-world applications of STEM and consider the possibilities of future careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The Intensive Learning Program forms part of a broader partnership between Queensland Museum and UniSQ focused on STEM engagement, equitable access to education, community learning and future workforce development across Ipswich and surrounding regions.
Insights from this year’s pilot program will help shape future delivery, with opportunities to expand participation to additional schools over the coming two years.
As museums continue to evolve as places of learning and discovery, partnerships such as this help connect young people to the stories, skills and innovations that will shape tomorrow.
Continuum: Inventing Tomorrow is presented in partnership with the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ).
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