Full STEAM Ahead (Stamp Collecting Month 2021)

Overview

This year’s Stamp Collecting Month celebrates STEAM, an acronym that stands for the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

The 21st century is presenting many challenges, including climate change; the rapid development of technology, including social media; and public health issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Building engagement with STEAM, particularly in young people, is critical to ensure a prosperous and safe future for all Australians. While science and technology are crucial, so too are the arts, which are essential for critical thinking, evaluating and planning, as well as appreciating the “big picture” of how science and technology will assist us in dealing with modern life.

The five stamps and minisheet in this issue show elements of STEAM being studied in a classroom environment, including sustainability, biology, robotics and coding, chemistry, physics, astronomy, computer science and the creative arts, such as painting.

Technical specifications

Issue date: 3 August 2021
Issue withdrawal date: 28 February 2022
Denomination: $1.10 x 5
Stamp illustration: Andrew Hopgood
Product design: Sonia Young, Australia Post Design Studio
Paper: gummed: Tullis Russell
Paper: self-adhesive: Tullis Russell PSA (P55)
Printer: EGO
Printing process: Offset lithography
Stamp size (mm): 26 x 37.5
Minisheet size (mm): 170 x 80
Perforations: 14.6 x 13.86
Sheet layout: Modules of 50
FDI Postmark: Bright Vic 3741
FDI withdrawal date: 1 September 2021

Stamps in this issue

$1.10 Virtual reality

Virtual reality is a digital, computer-generated, three-dimensional experiential environment. Using a VR headset provides access to enhanced interactions that are not practical or possible in the real world. Fully immersive VR stimulates the senses of vision, hearing and sometimes touch.

$1.10 Hydroponics

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil by immersing or suspending the roots in mineral nutrients dissolved in water. This method uses much less water than traditional farming, so has obvious application in countries without access to plentiful water.

$1.10 Space Study

The mysteries of the galaxies, nebulae, black holes and stars, and the study of infinite space, help us to understand our own place in the universe. Space research uses technology to observe the universe and incorporates disciplines such as biology, earth sciences and physics.

$1.10 Robotics

A robot is a computer-programmed machine that substitutes or replicates human actions. Robots are increasingly being used to carry out repetitive, routine tasks in industry, or delicate operations requiring great precision in medicine. Robotics requires skills in programming, computational thinking, mechanical engineering, sequencing and directional language.

$1.10 Urban Design

Urban design considers the infrastructure and social planning required for building sustainable communities in suburbs, towns and cities. In other words, physical spaces as well as how people interact within them. Designing an urban environment involves balancing various factors, such as liveability, sustainability, the type of materials that should be used to build it, the social and economic implications of the particular design as well as its aesthetic appeal.