Part one of our Innovate Adelaide series unveils the groundbreaking initiatives in education coming out of the City of Churches.
Welcome to the first instalment of our Innovate Adelaide eBook series. This article focuses on the groundbreaking advancements in education, of which there are many, taking place in South Australia’s famed City of Churches.
Adelaide is at the forefront of innovation, reshaping the educational landscape with initiatives like 42 Adelaide, HEX, and STEMSEL Foundation. These programs emphasise hands-on, project-based learning, skills development, and inclusivity, preparing students to become future leaders in technology and innovation.
Stay tuned for upcoming parts in our series, where we will explore Manufacturing, Engineering & Automation, Water & Sustainability, Health & Medical, and more.
Lumination
Disrupting the conventional classroom, the immersive technology company is pioneering Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) to change the way we teach, learn and work.
The automated, multipurpose, and immersive smart classrooms are curriculum aligned, and create transformational learning experiences in today’s classrooms.
Over 2,600 schools have visited the site, which is being used in various schools including Goolwa Secondary College and Adelaide Botanic High School, and is expanding into multiple sectors including defence, government, and private enterprise.
“Immersive technology was starting to feature in the world of work… This new immersive technology does not just feed our students with content; the technology engages our students to be curious and enables every learning area to engage differently.”
—Alistair Brown, Principal of Adelaide Botanic High School
42 Adelaide
42 is an innovative coding school established in 2013 by French entrepreneur Xavier Niel. With campuses in over 25 countries, it was introduced in Australia by social entrepreneur Louise Nobes in 2021. 42 Adelaide is Australia’s first tuition-free initiative open to all regardless of origin, gender, age, or education background.
Emphasising self-paced learning without traditional classes or teachers, it has serviced over 550 students through an intensive boot camp, with more than 300 continuing their education. The school uses a gamified approach to complete over 200 projects; as students complete one, they move onto the next one, until they are able to choose between different paths to acquire different skills.
In 2021, 42 was ranked #1 most ethical school in the world, and 10th-most innovative in the Top 100 of the World Universities with Real Impact. Fostering creativity and practical skills, 42 Adelaide also aims to be Australia’s leading tech school promoting diversity and inclusion. In 2023, it secured sponsorship investment from leading national software consulting firm, SRA.
“We see the sponsorship with 42 Adelaide as fundamental to our growth plans. In a tight labour market, with skills shortages and diminishing volume of graduates coming from universities, SRA took on 23 cadets in 2022. One year on, we made the decision to increase this and escalate the sponsorship to a true partnership by making a strategic investment for long-term growth, diversity and sustainability.”
—Tim Chopping, CEO of SRA
HEX
Also known as the Hacker Exchange, HEX offers an “innovation gap year” for high school leavers, partnering with Atlassian and recognised by global universities.
HEX provides global exposure, relevant tools, and networks, fostering practical skills and industry experience. Focused on disadvantaged youth, HEX supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and promotes philanthropy through Pledge 1%, enhancing access to education and mental health initiatives. This innovative approach equips students to become future leaders in innovation and startups.
“I’ve loved every minute of it. I learnt so much about myself, the world of business and innovation. This is an experience that I would recommend anyone to join – the networks and knowledge I have gained are something that I will treasure for the rest of my life.”
—Isobel Lyons, Founder at Empower4women, and HEX Alumni 2022
STEMSEL Foundation
STEMSEL Foundation, founded in Adelaide in 2014 by Peng Choo and Miroslav Kostecki, focuses on empowering youth through innovative STEM education. The foundation addresses critical skills gaps by offering hands-on workshops in robotics, coding, and electronics.
Their runlinc technology makes STEM education accessible and engaging, enabling students to build and program IoT AI projects quickly. The foundation’s efforts are transforming education, inspiring creativity, and preparing the next generation of Australian scientists and engineers by giving them the tools and knowledge needed for future careers in STEM fields.
Is your Sydney-based business shaping the future of education?
As this series highlights these Adelaide-based innovators, we are also preparing for April Hobbs and Innovations of the World to produce a Sydney series.
For those in Sydney interested in being featured, please reach out to April Hobbs at april@innovationsoftheworld.com.
The post Innovations of the World – Adelaide: The leaders in innovation in education appeared first on The Big Smoke.