Released 30/06/2020
The ACT Government is providing girls and young women with more opportunity to participate in, and develop science, technology, engineering and mathematics capability through a $200,000 Girls in STEM grant program.
Today I announced the 17 applicants to receive funding for the Girls in STEM grants.
These grants will support young women to get involved in subjects that are providing the jobs of tomorrow.
The grants will help provide equitable access to programs so girls can develop skills and capabilities with access to expert mentors and industry networks.
The ACT Government is providing $20,000 to Lake Tuggeranong College to create a project thatwill raise awareness of Lake Tuggeranong as an evolving environment in need of more active community use and environmental respect. Their project will also promote women in trades and technology careers, through boat building.
$16,000 is being provided to support the Women in Engineering and Computer Sciences (WINGS) event held at Hawker College. This full day education program includes lectures, guest speakers, organisational representatives, hands on project activity, forums and careers expo for approximately 120 female students from across ACT public high schools.
$21,000 is being provided to Wanniassa School to enhance and expand current programs including developing an early childhood robotics program, to develop Junior and Senior girls coding clubs to engage all year levels in coding to develop mathematical thinking, engineering applications and independent inquiry.
Other grant recipients are:.
- Amaroo School - $30,000 to implement digital technologies curriculum across all year levels and provide professional development opportunities for teachers.
- Harrison School - $6,000 for their Girls Can Code program
- UC Kaleen High School - $10,850 to support peer tutoring iSTEAM robotics 'lessons' in a fun, play based environment, delivered to girls by girls!
- Alfred Deakin High School - $16,000 for their Girls in STEM@ADHS program to introduce peer to peer mentoring, including a STEM Club, excursions and visits by industry leaders.
- Campbell High School - $4,840 for their Girls in STEM Day to provide an opportunity for girls in years 5 and 6 from feeder primary schools to participate in a range of STEM activities.
- Lyneham High School - $14,000 for their Girls in STEM Day designed to engage girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics careers and provide them with the opportunity to connect with women in these fields.
- Canberra High School - $29,700 to purchase a CNC router to support Elysium F1 in Schools and competition at the ACT and National level.
- Macgregor Primary School - $2,800 for their Girls in STEM Innovation and Entrepreneurship to provide 20 of Macgregor Primary School's senior female students with a deep 'real-world' learning experience.
- Maribyrnong Primary School - $9,000 for their Maribyrnong Menders and Makers program.
- Campbell Primary School - $5,000 for their STEM Night to engage students and families in educational and professional STEM pathways.
- Bonython Primary School - $3,000 for their STEM Enrichment program to provide 15-20 girls from years 3 to 6 opportunities to engage in individual science inquiries.
- Forrest Primary School - $7,500 for their Girls can Build Robots too! program.
- Year 8 student from Canberra High School - $2,010 to participate in the Robocup Rescue Junior ACT competition.
- Year 12 student from Canberra College - $2,000 to undertake an independent robotic prosthetics project.
I am happy to see so many innovative and practical projects. These projects will not only promote excellence in STEM but engage young women and create a pathway for emerging female leaders.
The grants are administered by the ACT Future Skills Academy. The Academy is a key ACT Government initiative that aims to build capability in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and make STEM more accessible to all students.
STEM skills are increasingly important for workplace innovation and productivity. Many growing and emerging industries will require people with STEM skills, so it is important that students develop these skills through their schooling.
The ACT Government's commitment to STEM education includes establishment of the Centre for Innovation and Learning, a purpose-built STEM facility for ACT public school students in Tuggeranong, and the north side hub of the Future Skills Academy at University of Canberra Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra.
The Future Skills Academy is a $5.7 million election commitment to establish a STEM hub in the north of Canberra and scale successful programs, such as Science Mentors ACT, that connect students with industry and tertiary institutions, and promote STEM pathways for all students.
The ACT Government's commitment to STEM education also includes the establishment of the Centre for Innovation and Learning, a purpose-built STEM facility for ACT public school students in Tuggeranong.
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases