Future-Ready Minds Gather at 2025 STEM & Drone Discovery Day

On Saturday, 2nd August 2025, despite heavy rain, our STEM & Drone Discovery Day at Murdoch University drew in nearly 1,400 registered participants and turned into a vibrant hub of innovation, collaboration, and inspiration.

Award Ceremony & Guest Speeches

The day began with the RoboPro Australia 4th Youth Drone Tournament Award Ceremony, where we were honoured to welcome a lineup of influential guests:

• Dr Parwinder Kaur, Member of the WA Legislative Council, representing the Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC, inspired students to boldly explore the frontiers of STEM.

• Mr. Wang Fengzhong, Acting Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Perth, emphasised the event’s importance in advancing China-Australia youth science and cultural exchange.

• Mr. Hu Jinliang, CEO of Fly to Future Technology and representative of the World Robot Contest, advocated for sustained cross-national STEM collaboration.

• Professor Parisa Bahri, Pro Vice Chancellor of STEM at Murdoch University, shared the university’s commitment to empowering young innovators

Tech & AI Panel Discussion – Flying into the Future

The panel discussion, titled “Flying into the Future: How Robotics, AI, and Drones are Transforming Our World”, drew a full room of eager students, educators, and industry professionals. Moderated with a focus on real-world impact and future career insights, the session featured:

• Kate Kirwin – Founder & CEO, She Codes Australia

• Franco Renones – Deputy Chief Remote Pilot, UWA & Director, Sky Legends

• Dr. Sheikh Izzal Azid – Lecturer in Engineering | Chief Remote Pilot, Murdoch University

• Dr. Fangyi Zhang – Lecturer (Assistant Professor), Curtin University

• Dr. Hamed Habibi – Lead Researcher, Murdoch University

Each panelist shared their unique perspective on the roles drones, AI, and robotics will play in the coming decade, discussed real-world problems their work is solving, and offered actionable advice to young people passionate about entering the tech field.

Interactive Booths & Presenters – Engaging from Start to Finish

Throughout the day, the STEM exhibition space remained lively and engaging. Rain couldn’t stop the crowd—every booth was buzzing with students and families, eager to explore hands-on learning opportunities. Highlights included:

• XPENG G6 test zone by XPENG Midland

• FPV drone flying experiences

• Drone-building workshops led by Dr. Artur Lugmayr (UXMachine)

• Coding, robotics, drone and STEM stations from various community, education and industry partners

• Indoor drone light shows by Aicode Australia & Squadrone

• Chinese Shadow Puppet performances

• Creative engineering games

  
  

Presenters were exceptionally well-prepared, providing structured, fun, and age-appropriate activities that captured the attention of learners young and old.

Lucky Draw – Big Surprises, Big Smiles

Our Lucky Draws, held at 12:30 PM and 3:20 PM, brought an extra layer of fun and excitement to the day! A huge thank-you to our generous prize sponsors for making it all possible:

• Aicode Australia – STEM Holiday Program Vouchers

• Aizone – DJI Tello Edu Drone

• Welink – Apple headset, $200 Gift Card, and Polaroid cameras

• Squadrone – Drone Show Experience

• HeyKids – GiiKER Smart Toys

• Structured Finance Group – Anime figures and other STEM-themed toys

• VIP Think – LOZMINI Block Toys

• WA Chinese Mums Inc. – Sticker sets

• She Codes Australia – Branded Hoodies

• CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) – Branded Bags

The winners’ joyful reactions and cheers from the audience filled the room with smiles—proving once again that STEM learning and fun go hand-in-hand!

Thank You to Our Sponsors, Partners & Volunteers

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support from:

• Murdoch University for hosting the venue and sharing their vision

• Our sponsors and booth partners for creating interactive, educational experiences

• The dedicated team of volunteers and MU student leaders who managed logistics and supported attendees throughout the day

Your collective enthusiasm and commitment made this day a resounding success. Together, we are shaping a future where STEM is accessible, inspiring, and empowering for every student.

Looking Ahead – Join Us for Future STEM Adventures

The overwhelming turnout, the energy in every booth, and the incredible support from our community have reaffirmed our mission to inspire and empower through STEM.

Whether you're a curious learner, an enthusiastic parent, a passionate educator, or an innovative company—we invite you to be part of our next chapter. Stay tuned, and let’s keep building the future together.