Five projects you could be working on in your STEM degree

From electric car racing to traveling the world and making a global impact, STEM students at RMIT work on a range of industry-leading projects.

Ever wondered what it’s like to build an electric race car and test drive it on a Grand Prix track? Or cross the ocean to help manage sustainability projects abroad? How about design and build a giant, flying magpie-shaped glider? 

As an RMIT student, you’ll experience real-world projects, work with industry partners, create innovative solutions to global challenges and enjoying a truly unique student experience.

Here are just a few examples of what our STEM students have worked on before, and what you could do in your STEM degree at RMIT. 

1. Build and race an electric race car

Every year, the RMIT Motorsport team designs and builds a Formula-style race car to compete at the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), a student Formula race university competition organised by the Society of Automotive Engineers International. 

Teams, made up of students in RMIT's mechanical engineering and electrical engineering programs, apply their theoretical knowledge and skills to real-world problems, promoting the viability and exciting future of electric cars. 

The team’s race car was test driven on the Albert Park racetrack and displayed at the Technology and Innovation Hub throughout the Grand Prix event.

Discover other ways you'll get hands-on at RMIT

2. Join sustainability and humanitarian projects in Fiji

Since 2016, RMIT students have participated in an award-winning program where they work with industry partners in Fiji on sustainable development and humanitarian projects. The program encourages students to work on projects related to sanitation, water, energy and waste solutions.

Bachelor of Environmental Science graduate, Shannon Kelly, says that experiences such as this were some of her favourite memories from her time at RMIT. “Work-integrated learning programs were my favourite, and I got to have a couple of experiences, including participating in a reef survey and study tour in Fiji as part of the degree.”

In a previous year, engineering students focused on developing clean water solutions for a remote Fijian community. This involved testing drinking water, identifying causes of contamination and creating feasible solutions, including constructing a full-sized prototype of a composting toilet.

3. Learn to 3D print at RMIT's Advanced Manufacturing Precinct

3D printing has been a game changer for manufacturing in the aviation, aerospace, automotive and healthcare industries, and in RMIT’s Advanced Manufacturing Precinct (AMP) students and researchers are developing robotics, aero type components and surgical implants. 

The AMP is the largest additive manufacturing facility in Australia. It's where biomedical engineering, and more specifically, Associate Degree in Digital Technologies (Advanced Manufacturing) students complete their capstone project, fully equipped with the latest FESTO cyber physical system lab, robotics stations, and a FESTO mini factory.

The research at AMP has resulted in a number of firsts including the first 3D printed titanium lattice implant in Australia that was implanted into a patient with deformed vertebra. The first 3D printed cube satellite chassis was also produced at the AMP in collaboration with Australian Defence Force Academy, and was launched into space in 2021.

Australian first 3D printed titanium spinal disc that was implanted into a patient in 2015.

4. Build and showcase your designs to the world

RMIT student innovations and creations aren’t just personal momentos of their study – they are often showcased to the broader community.  

Engineering undergraduate students in their final year will create a capstone project that can be displayed at the annual EnGenius event. This is a chance for students to demonstrate their innovative ideas, develop presentation skills and receive industry feedback on their design solutions.

Throughout your studies there you may have many unexpected chances to showcase your work. This was certainly the case for the RMIT students who designed and built a glider shaped like a giant magpie that carried the British Consul-General for Victoria above the Yarra River as part of the Moomba Birdman Rally in 2024.

“The students brought to the project a high level of skill in conceptual design, computer-aided engineering, aerodynamics and systems integration, as well as artistic flair and dedication,” said Professor Jennifer Palmer, the Associate Dean of Aerospace Engineering and Aviation at RMIT.

“We used a computer-aided design created by the students and a resin 3D printer to create the head, which took over three days to print.”

5. Explore the world and have global experiences

RMIT’s commitment to hands-on learning extends far beyond the classroom. During your study, you will have chances to apply for internships and global learning opportunities that are sure to surprise and delight.

For example, Bachelor of Environmental Science student, Long Pham, who took part in the In2Science program. During the program she travelled across Victoria, showcasing science experiments to different schools and getting students engaged with STEM.

Study experiences can even take you beyond borders and across the sea. Hayley Nitschke, a graduate of RMIT’s Space Science degree, was one of three students to be awarded a prestigious 12-month internship with aerospace company Airbus in the UK.

And she’s not the only one with a story like this.

Bachelor of Engineering (Sustainable Systems Engineering) (Honours) student, Rebecca Micallef attended a design summit to regional Samoa with Engineers Without Borders as part of her studies.

These are just a glimpse of the hands-on opportunities available in a STEM degree at RMIT. We can’t wait for you to join us and experience some of them yourself.

Story: Jacob Johnston

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Five projects you could be working on in your STEM degree