NUNGA NEWS

STEM Aboriginal Learners Congress 2026 

Mrs Michael and Miss Kylie were very proud to take 2 specially selected Aboriginal students, Kiana and Emma S, to the 2026 STEM Aboriginal Learners Congress at Adelaide Oval on the 11th and 12th of August.

With more than 700 Aboriginal students from 182 schools attending, it was an incredible two days of learning, connection, culture and inspiration.

Students took part in hands-on design and engineering challenges, an exciting science show with Nitro Nat, a Welcome to Country by Uncle Micky O’Brien, a visit to the Adelaide Zoo, Augmented Reality activities using Aboriginal symbols. 

They also heard from inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander STEM professionals, including a marine biologist, geneticist and conservationist, who shared their career journeys and spoke about the strong connections between Aboriginal knowledge and STEM.

Students learned that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have been applying sophisticated STEM knowledge, including engineering, astronomy, agriculture and environmental management, for tens of thousands of years.

There were many stallholders giving away free goodies, but more importantly giving information about the huge variety of opportunities there are for apprenticeships, study pathways, and career pathways available to students these days. 

Kiana and Emma also had the opportunity to connect with Aboriginal students from schools across South Australia and beyond before finishing the Congress with an amazing performance from Dem Mob, the Aboriginal hip hop group from the APY Lands who rap in Pitjantjatjara.

What a fantastic experience celebrating Aboriginal excellence, culture, STEM and future possibilities!