Three years ago, current Year 12 student Alana Ikladios had never flown a drone.
Now, having undertaken a specialist course in Adelaide, she’s set to instruct hundreds of cadets in drone flying and field engineering. Alana is Platoon Commander of the all-new STEM Platoon in the Trinity Grammar School Army Cadet Unit, which was instated at the start of the current Cadets training year in October.
The introduction of the STEM Platoon is an “exciting shift” according to Alana, who sees the new initiative as an exciting opportunity, not only to introduce new activities to the Cadets program, but also to inspire girls in the wider world of STEM beyond the military.
Alana is already looking forward to exploring potential study and career options in STEM, having gained several future-ready skills applicable across any number of different industries.
A new challenge in Adelaide
During January this year, Alana participated in the Cadet Elective Drone Racing 1 and 2 course in Adelaide, where she learned to pilot a range of drones, build new drones from scratch, and program them to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h.
The course taught Alana a variety of STEM skills, as well as reinforcing more general skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork – essential elements of the STEM fields.
“We started the course by flying drones called ‘mini-whoops’ to help us get used to the controls, because they’re smaller and harder to control,” Alana shared.
“After that, we had a couple of days to build our own five-inch racing drones from scratch, using 3D printed pieces, motors and props. We had to physically put everything together and solder parts onto the circuit boards, which was my favourite part.”
Unlike most others, these racing drones are controlled with a direct line of sight from the device, with the use of VR headsets.
Alana relished the opportunity to learn new skills with 47 other young cadets from units all over Australia, including five others from New South Wales. “Being able to meet new people and make new friends really added to the experience,” she said.
Sharing STEM skills on base with the wider unit
Having successfully completed the Drone Racing 1 and 2 elective courses, Alana is now fully qualified to instruct other cadets in drone flying, showing them how to build and fly drones, as well as program them for preset flight paths.
CAPT (AAC) Fiona Brennan, Meriden’s Coordinator of Cadets, said that the STEM platoon offers a new pathway of interest for students at Meriden and Trinity Grammar School who are exploring options within the Cadets program.
“Cadets is for everybody,” she said. “The new STEM Platoon helps inspire girls like Alana, giving them exposure and skills in STEM out in the field that they otherwise wouldn’t have, and a headstart towards their future career.”
While the STEM Platoon is just in its first year, the new drone flying initiative led by Alana has been received with excitement by the whole unit.
“Exposing the cadets to different skills means we can continue to grow the STEM Platoon in future years,” said CAPT Brennan. “It will also provide career opportunities for those who join the STEM Platoon.”
Girls’ interest in STEM nurtured at Meriden
Beyond Cadets, Meriden offers iSTEM as an elective subject for girls in Years 9 and 10. Alana took this subject in both years, and she says it was a vital starting point for her.
She said, “In the iSTEM elective class, we learned how to program drones, which started my interest in the area.”
“I’ve been able to take the theory I learned in that class and embrace the practical side, which is why Cadets is such a great way for girls to find STEM opportunities.”
Many of the younger cadets at Meriden are excited about the opportunities that will be open to them when they reach the senior ranks, in large part thanks to the initiative of students like Alana.
And right now, Alana is one of the many Meriden students who are looking forward to a potential career in STEM.
“I want to study Mechatronic Engineering at university,” she said. “A big part of the reason why is because I have been able to experience engineering skills and activities first-hand through the Cadets program.”
