How one man and his truck is changing STEM education in rural Queensland
Jameson Harvey's work as an ACS Member, Young Tech Ambassador, and Founder of Red Dirt Robotics is driven by a clear purpose: to bridge the digital and educational divide and inspire the next generation of regional tech leaders.
Distance is no excuse
The fundamental belief driving Jameson is that "postcode should never determine opportunity". His purpose is to address the educational disadvantage faced by rural students, who often fall 1.5 years behind their metropolitan peers in STEM subjects.
Jameson discovered his own love of robotics through the FIRST LEGO League, where his team placed second globally in 2019. Rather than follow the traditional university path, Jameson hit the road in his trusty Troopy, launching Red Dirt Robotics: a grassroots initiative bringing hands-on robotics, drones and 3D printing workshops to regional and remote communities across Australia at no cost to students and schools.
Road Trips to Inspire
Since its inception, Jameson and Red Dirt Robotics have adventured out on numerous road trips the road trips, funded by the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. His latest trip took him to 18 schools across Gayndah, Emerald, Stanthorpe, and Gympie, travelling 2,200kms in total. The students responded positively after hearing directly from someone young working in the industry, feeling better equipped and less apprehensive about potential career paths.
But that’s not all, since its founding Red Dirt Robotics has demonstrated significant impact:
- Driven over 300,000 kilometers.
- Impacted more than 5,000 students and hundreds of teachers.
- Provided free teacher training to ensure a long-term impact.
- Creating practical resources and examples for teachers to incorporate into classroom career discussions.
A Crucial Pipeline for Queensland
The Queensland government is prioritising improved regional connectivity and the development of a tech talent pipeline, to futureproof the workforce and drive innovation. The state currently has 159,000 tech workers spread across 1.73 million km², contributing $15 billion to the Australian economy, according to ACS Digital Pulse 2025. Creating robust and inclusive pathways into a career in technology is critical to ensuring the Queensland, and the wider Australia, have the skills required to compete globally.
The ACS Young Tech Ambassadors program, also supported by the Queensland Government, is actively inspiring the future workforce by demystifying careers in tech and breaking down the misconceptions of working in the tech sector. Jameson Harvey is an outstanding ACS Member prioritising outreach and social impact to promote digital careers and increase the pipeline of workers into the industry.
To continue this important work in 2026, Jameson Harvey seeks support from generous organisations in the tech industry and beyond. If you would like to find out how, contact Matthew Jorgensen at techambassador@acs.org.au.