In the current COVID-19 environment, year 6 students have used robotic technologies to create an automatic hand sanitiser dispenser.

The project was part of the school's ongoing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning.

STEM learning encourages students to engage with technologies and build their understanding of the wider

curriculum, preparing themselves for a future with endless possibilities.

Linking learning to relevant contexts further engages the students, according to Parkview year 6 teacher Jackson Goman.

"The hand sanitiser robot is a timely application of STEM skills and this concept linked students understanding with how such skills and knowledge can be applied in the real world," he said.

Employees expect their need for STEM professionals to increase in the next five to ten years, with 90 per cent of jobs needing greater digital skills in the next two to five years.

Parkview Public School is part of the STEM Industry School Partnerships Program to help prepare students now for the outside world.

Year 6 student Chloe Dunbar could see the potential of STEM for her future.

"I want to be a mechanic and I can see how this would help me," she said.

"I enjoyed being able to work as a team ... we had to problem solve to follow the instructions. It was harder than you might think, but I was very proud when we finished and excited to show the school how it worked."

Parkview STEM leader Fiona Hislop was excited to develop student capacity in this field.

"We are in the process of developing a purpose-built stem space that will allow the integration of subject areas and purposeful learning outcomes," Mrs Hislop said.

"STEM has come from industry experts requesting that future employees have greater skills in problem solving, cooperation and working in teams as well as then have the ability to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to creatively develop solutions to real world problems.

"Our aim is to build student capacity to be curious, independent thinkers with logical reasoning and stronger communication skills."

Kayden Robinson is another student in year 6 who can already see why the STEM program is important.

"It was very challenging and we had to cooperate and work as a team," he said.

"It was an interesting task and when we demonstrated the final product to the wider school they were like 'oh my god... mind blown'.

"Technology will expand in the future and I'm looking forward to more engineering and construction."