What happens when hundreds of curious minds come together to tackle the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow?
On Thursday 22 October, The Knox School proudly hosted the annual ‘It Takes a Spark’ STEM Conference, welcoming students, educators, industry leaders and innovators for a day designed to inspire big thinking and bold ideas. Guided by the theme Imagining a Better Tomorrow, the conference explored how STEAM can help young people move beyond simply understanding the world around them to actively shaping what comes next.
Created by Dr Adrian Bertolini and Rachel Manneke-Jones of Intuyu Consulting, ‘It Takes a Spark’ brings together students, teachers and industry experts who share a common belief: that the future belongs to those willing to ask questions, challenge assumptions and imagine new possibilities.
Following an Acknowledgement of Country and welcome, attendees heard from two remarkable keynote speakers whose work is helping redefine what is possible in STEM. Dr Kirsten Banks, astrophysicist and Superstar of STEM from Swinburne University of Technology, took audiences on a journey through the wonders of space while encouraging curiosity about the universe and our place within it. Dr Fariha Tasmin Jaigirdar, cybersecurity expert and Superstar of STEM from Deakin University, challenged participants to think critically about the increasingly connected world we live in and the responsibility that comes with emerging technologies.
Across the conference, learning looked very different from a traditional classroom. Students and teachers learned side-by-side through hands-on workshops, design challenges, STEM expos and professional learning experiences. From artificial intelligence and robotics to biomimicry, aerospace engineering, cybersecurity, sustainability and virtual reality, every session invited participants to experiment, collaborate and think creatively about real-world challenges.
What made the day especially powerful was the diversity of voices in the room. Experts from universities, research organisations, industry partners and schools shared their knowledge, experiences and pathways, helping students see the many ways their passions might evolve into future careers, innovations and opportunities. Workshops were delivered by organisations including Monash University, Deakin University, La Trobe University, Swinburne University of Technology, Engineers Australia, Museums Victoria and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
The Knox School was also proud to contribute to the conference program through the teacher masterclass, Built With, Not For: Co-Designing STEM Electives with Students. Led by members of our learning team, the session explored how our Sustainable Engineering elective has been developed alongside students, demonstrating how co-design can increase engagement, ownership and authentic learning. The workshop reflected a philosophy deeply embedded in learning at TKS: young people are not simply participants in their education, but partners in shaping it.
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the day wasn’t any single workshop or keynote. It was the reminder that innovation starts with curiosity. Whether designing sustainable solutions, exploring deep space, creating with AI or tackling environmental challenges, students were encouraged to see themselves not just as learners of STEM, but as future problem-solvers, creators and changemakers.
As conversations continued long after the final session, attendees left with new ideas, new connections and a renewed sense of possibility. Hosting ‘It Takes a Spark’ once again was a proud moment for The Knox School and a powerful reflection of our commitment to learning that is authentic, future-focused and intentionally untraditional. Because imagining a better tomorrow is only the beginning. The next step is creating it.
