ECOLINC Science Excursion

2016 Emerging Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Program for Women:  ECOLINC Science and Technology Excursion

On Friday 15th July, a group of Year 9 and Year 10 girls attended the 2016 Emerging Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Program for Women at the ECOLINC Science and Technology Centre in Bacchus Marsh. This program was specifically for young women with future career aspirations in STEM related fields. A STEM profession typically combines any of the four disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, and there is now a directed focus on STEM education which will be incorporated into the Victorian School Curriculum.

 The day consisted of guest speakers, a range of workshops and a ‘STEM Careers speed-dating’ session where the students were able to meet, talk with, and learn from, a range of women in STEM fields, as well as a range of higher education providers who were able to outline career pathway opportunities and courses available for female students in the STEM fields.

The workshops - ROBOGIRLS, ENERGY EFFICIENT HOUSING and BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS - provided a fantastic hands-on opportunity for the students to design and conduct experiments. Concepts explored and carried out on the day were: computer programming, coding and robotics; environmental and energy saving/efficient techniques and materials; and creating biodegradable, non-toxic, plant-based plastics in a laboratory.

The guest speakers were Ms Stephanie Grylls, Field Coordinator for Parks, Recreation and Heritage and AusEco Solutions (Stephanie has worked around the world saving various endangered species), and, Jennifer A. Marshall Graves, PhD, FAA, AO, who is a Distinguished Professor from the School of Life Science at La Trobe University (internationally famous for mapping the Kangaroo and Platypus genomes).

Both speakers were highly engaging and excellent role models for our aspiring, young, female scientists. They presented the students with a wealth of personal success stories and their experiences and pathways, in becoming the successful women they are today.

A further highlight of the day, was the amazing feedback that

St Albans Secondary College received from the event organisers, reflecting the group’s presentation and participation at the event. It was evident that all the girls gained invaluable knowledge and experience, which will surely contribute to their pathways, of becoming successful women STEM. I would like to sincerely congratulate the girls on their participation in this event.

Mr Eli Goldbaum

Biology and Science Teacher