YOUNG women from thirteen local schools convened at Ballarat Tech School last week as part of the first term of the 2023 Girls in STEM program.<\/p>\n
The initiative, which aims to showcase pathways for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, took place throughout Tuesday and Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Kirstyn Hall, the program\u2019s coordinator said it was their most successful delivery yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got this year 60 girls which is the biggest group we\u2019ve had through,\u201d she said. \u201cWe also have an extra six in our new leadership program and they\u2019re handpicked from last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cGirls\u2019 representation in STEM fields across the country is very, very low. There is definitely a need for this program.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is about putting those opportunities in front of those young women and encouraging them to take them.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur new leadership program was offered to students from last year who really showed enthusiasm and put their hand up for everything.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s giving them an additional look at the program and showing them more opportunities while encouraging the girls we\u2019ve got today. It\u2019s peers helping peers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Girls in STEM program runs once a term with the same student groups participating during the year.<\/p>\n
Upcoming events will feature Bartlett Manufacturing as well as sessions with space and drone industry representatives.<\/p>\n
The program was launched with an afternoon tea with STEM leaders like IBM\u2019s Amitee Goulton and Sharee McDonald from Federation University.<\/p>\n
With Mars Wrigley partnering for this term, students were put into teams and tasked with solving a production line issue at the local chocolate factory.<\/p>\n
The winning group received an invitation to tour the Malteser section of the Mars Wrigley production plant.<\/p>\n
Year 9 Ballarat Grammar student Eleanor was one of the program\u2019s six student leaders and said it gave her an added insight into the initiative.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been lots of fun and a great opportunity to connect with others. It\u2019s also giving me another perspective of the program in helping others to do it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t decided what pathway I\u2019m going to take but this program has shown me that there so many opportunities for me to go with.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
YOUNG women from thirteen local schools convened at Ballarat Tech School last week as part of the first term of the 2023 Girls in STEM program. The initiative, which aims to showcase pathways for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, took place throughout Tuesday and Wednesday. Kirstyn Hall, the program\u2019s coordinator said it was […]<\/p>\n