Delivered in partnerships with Swinburne University of Technology, our SuperIP Industry Immersion program gave 31 students from Brentwood Secondary College, Highvale Secondary College, and Wheelers Hill Secondary College a glimpse into the world of intellectual property protection and provides insight into study and career pathways that combine a love of STEM, humanities, and innovation.



Workshops were designed and delivered by Senior Law Academic Dr Mitchell Adams from Swinburne Law School. For one day, students became undergraduates, learning and digesting content usually taught to third-year law students. It posed an almost impossible challenge: ‘How might patent law be delivered to secondary school students that provided enough context to build industry context, challenge students and segue into a technology-orientated second workshop?’



The content was rich and, importantly, provided a first taste for students of the language, principles and application of law in a corporate legal environment. Through the program, students learned about the applications of intellectual property law, untangled the wacky world of claim construction, and undertook interactive activities delving into the patent process.



Students were then challenged to generate their own STEM invention using littleBits STEAM+ Coding Kits. Students got busy designing and building their medical device prototypes and draft their own patent specifications.



Students also had the opportunity to hear from an industry panel of Swinburne Law School graduates and professionals working across private law and government sectors. Joined by Rachael Mak, Josh Firmin, and Song Lee, students discovered what a typical day-in-the-life looks like, asked thoughtful questions about the influence AI has on the future of the profession, and received advice about study and career pathways in the sector.



What made this day unique? The workshop activities were designed by a Senior Law Academic, and delivered in a tertiary education environment, with students who opted into the day. The theory was underpinned by a technology-focused workshop that utilised applied learning principles. Finally, students were able to meet professionals who could share their own experiences and explore how intersections between STEM and law can accelerate innovation and technological advancement.