As far as random facts go, I was somewhat stunned the other day by this rather surprising gem. Back to the Future! It’s a science fiction movie, liberally laced with comedy, set in 1985. No, this is not the randomly surprising fact. In the movie we follow the story of Marty McFly (played by Michael J Fox), a young man who uses his eccentric mad scientist friend’s DeLorean shaped time machine, to return to 1955. Causing havoc to the timeline, he interferes with his parents’ courtship, deals with a formidable bully, uses a hoverboard and saves the day to change his life for the better. Still, not the amazing gem that stunned me. What stunned me is obvious but no less thought provoking. If Back to the Future was set today, in 2021, Michael J Fox would fire up his silver sports time machine and on hitting precisely 80 miles per hour would be launched all the way back to…1991, a time familiar to a significant number of us, scarily so for me, as it really doesn’t seem that long ago.
The present becomes the past at breakneck speed and the future invades the present all too quickly. If in 1991 I had been told that as a teacher I could one day be using a fully functioning rocket engine in my classes, my response would have been a non-committal “yeah sure”, followed by an incredulous “really!?”
Yesterday I saw exactly this future; a fully functional rocket engine. Take some structural parts printed on 3D printers, add some simple microprocessors — exactly the same as ones we use in Year 9 IT classes — feed the motor with Nitrous Oxide — sometimes used to give drag cars a bit of a kick — acetylene and oxygen, then throw in some compressed plastic fuel — in fact, it’s the plastic used in shopping bags — and, BOOM, a futuristic platform to teach Science and Mathematics, Engineering and Technology or to develop skills, creative and critical thinking, problem solving and communication, collaboration and innovation, to name a few. What makes this opportunity even more impressive is that the engine wasn’t designed by genius level boffins. It was designed and built by people using precisely the same skills we aim to instil in our young men, engaging similar technology to that found here at the College. The pathways that led these designers and builders to being aerospace entrepreneurs were varied, from trade qualified workers with hands on experience, through to university degreed engineers. Albeit different paths, the skills were common to all.
The future for our Eddies men is open and filled with possibilities. It is said young people today will be employed in jobs not even imagined yet. Indeed, we can dream of any number of futures from our present. The pathways that will lead our young men to their own, as yet undreamt-of futures, will depend on the skills they develop, skills they can transfer from one context to another. From the classroom or sporting field or campsite, from service to others, reflection of self, or simply communicating effectively with those in their world, the future will find its way into the lives of our Eddies Men with amazing speed. By taking every opportunity they can, in classrooms, workshops, sporting fields and stages, our young men will gain knowledge, but more importantly develop the skills that they can transfer to any office, workshop or workplace. From this, our shared present, they will travel all too quickly into their future, where they will be ready and willing to play their part as strong, kind and gentle Eddies Men.
Parents and Friends
The College Parents and Friends Committee conducted its Annual General Meeting recently and elected new members to the executive.
President Leon Hutton
Vice President Mick Tate
Treasurer Kylie Hockings
Secretary Melanie McAndrew
Congratulations to new and returning members and thank you for your willing commitment and service to the College.
A very sincere thank you to Ian Walker and Craig and Kathryn Wright. Ian, Craig and Kathryn have contributed many hours and much hard work as part of the P & F Executive, long past the graduation of their respective sons. At countless meetings, sausage sizzles, dances and projects they have given selflessly to the College and have made a difference to the lives of all the young men who have passed through our grounds. I wish Ian, Craig and Kathryn well and hope to continue to see them at the College and at community social events.
