A new scholarship will provide almost 300 Year 9 girls in regional and remote locations with hands-on science, technology, engineering and maths training.
For the first time, students from the NT and regional SA will be brought to Adelaide as part of the Flinders University STEM Enrichment Academy Workshops. The program aims to inspire a love of STEM in young women, encouraging them to pursue further education and careers in these fields.
2023 STEM Academy participants
Promoting participation
The Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources is providing Flinders University STEM Enrichment Academy with almost $1 million in funding, with the aim of supporting 1000 high school students and teachers on the path to tech and engineering education over the next year.
The program involves flying students to Flinders University to participate in workshops and programs. It also included the Flinders University STEM conference, which celebrated its fifth year back in June, and provided year 9 students a better understanding of STEM education and workplaces before making subject selections for their senior secondary school years.
Professor Maria Parappilly, chief investigator of the Australian Government’s Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WiSE) grant, says Flinders University aims to reach an additional 1000 SA and NT schoolgirls living in regional and remote areas by 2025.
“Already since May last year we have ‘enriched’ 500 schoolgirls as part of the Phase II targets and are delighted to be inundated with applications from rural and remote schools alongside strong interest from metropolitan schools to support our growing program,” says Professor Parappilly.
“Several of our NT applications state the students are interested in enrolling to study engineering, hoping to use this experience to start their STEM studies to find a career in areas of high demand and high pay.”
The government funding is also being put towards a new diploma course for up to 150 secondary school STEM teachers.
According to Professor Parappilly, “we hope to increase the gender balance in occupations such as engineering, mathematics and other career pathways by equipping female students with fresh insights into the potential and excitement of STEM subjects, including with industry placements and hands-on skills enrichment.”
Norwood International High School teacher Rachel Johnson, middle, with (L-R) Natara Naicker, Abigail Levin, Noor Al-Nakib, Lily Hedges and Alisha Yusuf.
A snapshot of the STEM industry
In Australia, women make up around 16 percent of all engineering graduates and 13 percent of the engineering workforce.
In a study conducted by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources in 2023, it was found that girl’s confidence in STEM subjects is lower than boys, and continues to fall as they age. Additionally, the pay gap between men and women in STEM was around 17 percent last year, or $27,012. Women made up 23 percent of senior management and 8 percent of CEOs in STEM industries.
This shows a major gap in the STEM sector when it comes to supporting women and encouraging industry-related pursuits. However, it’s not all bad news. The same 2023 report found that the number of women in STEM careers increased by 68 percent between 2012 and 2022. Similarly, girls make up a majority of students choosing STEM subjects in year 12 including biology, earth science, chemistry, and agricultural and environmental studies.
A positive response
As part of the Flinders University program, students from several regional SA and NT schools have been selected to attend workshops and enrichment days to further a passion for STEM subjects.
This includes 50 students from the NT and 80 from rural SA, comprising areas such as Port Lincoln, Millicent and Kadina. 13 Indigenous students were also selected from regional SA, Kaurna Plains Schools and the NT.
According to Darwin Middle School teacher Prue Rathborne, “The 15 young women selected to attend the three-day workshop (at Flinders) have been ecstatic about the life-changing opportunity that will facilitate their growth and development in STEM fields.
“As an educator, it has been inspiring to witness how an opportunity can positively shape the confidence and attitudes of young women towards their futures in STEM disciplines.”
Darwin Middle School principal, Ben McCasker, says that the trip to Adelaide “will unleash the possibilities to our students, as they immerse themselves in a truly rich experience.”
To read about another program supporting women in rural communities, click here.