S.T.E.M in the news
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS
IN SCIENCE
Thursday 11 February marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which promotes and celebrates the empowerment of women and girls to have full and equal access to, and participation in, science.
Underrepresentation of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is a significant barrier to reaching the maximum potential of scientific discovery.
A 2020 study found that in Australia, 28 per cent of tertiary students enrolled to study STEM fields were women, while a separate study found that 27 per cent of Australian workers employed in STEM-qualified industries were women.
The Department has an important role to play in addressing this imbalance.
Investing in our Tech Schools
To help with the push to engage more girls and women in STEM, the Victorian Government is investing in multiple STEM-based programs and events, including funding for 10 Tech Schools.
This funding will help to deliver programs such as the Whittlesea Tech School Girls Summer STEM program, a three-day virtual camp held earlier this month. This camp saw participants designing their own game and controller, developing skills in block coding, digital design and 3D modelling.
Women and Girls in STEM Map
Although there are many STEM activities supporting the development of women and girls in Victoria, they can be difficult to find and access.
To break down these barriers, the Victorian Government has launched the Women and Girls in STEM Map, consolidating the range of programs and resources available at schools, tertiary and professional levels.
These include:
scholarships and grants
competitions and awards
mentoring programs and networks
internships
events.
The Map creates a visual representation of resources available throughout a person’s STEM education, from primary school through to their professional career, enabling more women and girls to pursue a career in STEM.
To explore the map, refer to the Women and Girls in STEM Map document.
Jane Goodall is an English primatologist and anthropologist.
Diane Lemaire was an Australian aeronautical engineer. She was the first woman to graduate from the University of Melbourne with a degree in engineering.
Superstars of STEM program aims at breaking society’s gender stereotypes about scientists and increasing the visibility of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Dr Onisha Patel (L), Professor Asha Rao (C) and Dr Devika Kamath (R). Source: Jesse Taylor Photography
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