Teaching passion builds brick by brick
Julie Hunt’s daughter was just eight weeks old when the determined mum began studying to be a teacher.
Now 18 years on, the Gladstone State High School Dig-Tech and Robotics Teacher still credits a CQUniversity pathway program for making her career possible – and it’s inspired a next generation into education, too.
Dreaming of being a teacher since primary school, Julie said “horrific bullying” meant she left school after year 10.
After 15 years working in retail, her decision to tackle CQU’s Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies (STEPS) program gave Julie the confidence she needed for further study.
The free STEPS course equips students with the skills and knowledge to thrive at uni and gives successful graduates a direct pathway into their chosen degree.
"STEPS gave me the opportunity I’d never had – it helped me believe in myself and showed me that everyone can achieve something if they have the chance," Julie said.
Confidence to connect
Julie completed STEPS part-time at CQU Bundaberg in 2006, then began her Teaching degree in 2008.
During her studies, Julie discovered educational robotics: "One of my lecturers asked if I liked LEGO, and that was the start of everything!” she laughed.
"I've always been hands-on, and I’d been involved in building and racing cars for a long time, so teaching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) was a natural fit for me."
Using LEGO to teach students robotics and coding became a key focus of Julie’s studies and work placements.
Since establishing the Robotics Club at Gladstone State High School in 2018, Julie has helped hundreds of students develop confidence through problem-solving, teamwork and innovation.
On Saturday 31 October at CQU Gladstone Marina campus, Julie is helping lead the FIRST LEGO League Regional Competition, bringing 12 secondary school teams together to design, build and code LEGO robots for biodiversity-themed challenges.
Working alongside CQUniversity STEM Central Lead Associate Professor Linda Pfeiffer and a dedicated team of volunteers, Julie says the competition encourages curiosity, creativity and critical thinking.
"Students are learning how to solve problems, work together and persevere when things don't go to plan. Those are life skills as much as STEM skills!" she said.
New generation, same inspiration
She’s helped connect thousands of students with STEM education, and Julie is proud that her teaching path has also inspired her own daughter.
Sammy has just completed STEPS, and is set to begin a Bachelor of Education at CQU Gladstone.
"It’s pretty special!” Julie said. "To see her following a similar pathway and backing herself is something I'm incredibly proud of."
Julie regularly recommends STEPS to young people not sure about life after school.
"The biggest thing for me is seeing students succeed," she said.
"A lot of young people doubt themselves… but especially in STEM education, you see them suddenly solve a problem, or get a robot working, or present an idea in front of a crowd, and you can see their confidence grow.
"It's amazing that Gladstone has so many STEM pathways and opportunities… and no matter what career students want to pursue, in STEM there are so many avenues they can explore.
"My advice is simple: believe in yourself and have a crack."
Community members are invited to attend the FIRST LEGO League Regional Competition and see the next generation of innovators in action.
The free event runs 8.30am to 3pm on Saturday 31 October at STEM Central in the Leo Zussino Building, CQU Gladstone Marina.
STEM Central is CQU’s award-winning education facility that has been building STEM capability across regional, rural and remote communities since 2018, supported by Australia Pacific LNG, operated downstream by ConocoPhillips, Santos GLNG and Shell QGC.
CQUniversity's STEPS program celebrates 40 years in 2026, marking four decades of helping people from diverse backgrounds build the skills, confidence and foundations needed to pursue higher education and achieve their goals.
Explore your pathway into university with CQU's STEPS program.
