Students explore meat-tech futures in red meat processing industry

The Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) hosted its Meat-Tech Futures camp in Casino and Lismore last month, with over 25 local high school students participating in the two-day program.

This camp is part of a series of events AMPC is organising with IntegratedSTEM across Australia. 

These events aim to showcase the wide variety of STEM-related careers available in the red meat processing industry. 

They include a site tour of a local processing facility, where students learn about industry challenges; workshops with meat science researchers; and an innovation ‘shark tank’ where students present their ideas to address industry challenges in front of their peers, parents, and industry judges. It also features a two-hour professional development session for teachers on the uses of AI, along with curriculum resources that can be implemented within schools. 

AMPC Program Manager Amanda Carter said, “AMPC collaborated with IntegratedSTEM to develop these camp-style events to raise awareness about the tech-related career opportunities available in red meat processing.”

“We’ve invested in this area to support the industry’s long-term sustainability by attracting new young talent and showcasing the various career paths available, including careers in automation, robotics, and engineering.

“The events are also a great opportunity to get young students, teachers, and parents talking about red meat processing and to understand the innovation, technologies, and passionate stakeholders involved in producing world-class red meat.

“The feedback from students, teachers, and parents who attended the events has been very positive. AMPC has several processors keen to host a STEM Camp. An expression of interest will be available shortly for any processor interested in hosting an event”, she said.

IntegratedSTEM Founder and Robotics Engineer Fraser Border said, “The camps provide students with an immersive educational experience developed in collaboration with our team, AgTech education specialists, and industry stakeholders.”

“By holding these events, we hope to inspire students, assist teachers, and engage the local community in fostering technological innovation. They provide an ideal chance for students interested in STEM to discover how they can pursue a rewarding tech career within Australia’s red meat processing industry”.

AMPC and IntegratedSTEM will host the next camp in Launceston from Wednesday, 13 August 2025, to Thursday, 14 August 2025, at JBS Longford and The Shed, University of Tasmania. 

If you’re school is interested in attending, visit the IntegratedSTEM website to register: https://www.integratedstem.com.au/programs/meat-tech-futures-launceston/
 
If you would like more information or to get involved with the program, contact AMPC Program Manager Amanda Carter at a.carter@ampc.com.au