University of Melbourne - Girl Power in Engineering & IT Program

Over the July school holidays, we—Anishka and Amelia from Year 9—took part in the University of Melbourne's Girl Power in Engineering and IT program. This program aims to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields.

Overall, we found it to be an incredibly supportive and empowering environment. It gave us the chance to participate in hands-on workshops, tackle real-world problem-solving, and explore complex concepts in computing and engineering.

It is a unique, fully funded four-year program:

• Year 9 (First Year): A cost-free, four-day camp staying at the university's residential college dorms.

• Year 10 (Second Year): A dedicated week of STEM-focused work experience.

• Years 11 & 12 (Final Stages): A mentorship program where each participant is paired with a current university student studying engineering or IT.

   

Some of our favourite workshops in this program includes:

• Bridge building activity (Anishka won first place!)

• Panel night (meeting with current women in engineering fields who share their experiences in the workplace)

   

To apply for the program, you must be a female student in Year 9. Around mid-year, you submit a written application. Shortlisted applicants are then invited to an interview, from which the final 40 girls are chosen from across the state to join the program. We highly recommend it to any girls interested in fields like engineering and/or IT.

Amelia W. 9F and Anishka T. 9G