School announces STEM program

THE Ballarat Tech School has announced the launch of its inaugural Boys in STEM program.

The launch follows the success of the school’s flagship Girls in STEM program and will be made up of 60 selected year eight and nine students from more than 14 partner schools across the region.

Students will attend the school, located on Federation University’s SMB campus, for two days per term where they will interact with likeminded students, explore STEM, and take part in activities and excursions.

Ballarat Tech School pathways and partnerships manager, Kirstyn Hall, said it is important to encourage boys to peruse STEM as much of the focus in recent years has been on getting girls to explore these areas.

“Years eight and nine can be a tough time for boys with challenges that can result in marginalisation at school and extend to the classroom, where encouraging boys to pursue STEM subjects hasn’t been given the same recent emphasis as engaging girls in STEM,” she said. “Over the last few years, emphasising STEM for girls has become more common, and for good reason.

“Boys, on the other hand, are not usually given the same push to actively seek out STEM subjects.”

The program will provide opportunities to meet mentors, work with professionals and visit

workplaces.

Partners of this year’s program include Mars Wrigley, Victorian Space Science Education Centre and Victorian Unmanned Aerial Systems.

“If we aren’t engaging all students in STEM classes, it can impact their further education and career choices and may not lead them to pursue the most in-demand careers today and in the future,” said Ms Hall.

“Boys make up at least half the

active work force. If they are not encouraged and supported to engage with STEM and lean into the jobs of the future we will and in fact already do have a significant skills shortage in Australia.”

Both programs are open to gender diverse students who can choose which program best suits them.