7NEWS Riverina - Girls in STEM

Video series: How do you promote STEM to girls in schools? Ask a teacher

Article: The road less travelled by Ruth Cooper

Based on current research delivered by Jenny Gore, (Director of the Teachers & Teaching Research Centre, at School of Education, University of Newcastle NSW) at the 8th Annual STEM Conference, 2021, NSW Year 11 and 12 student subject selections show a gender imbalance. The report covered trends across Mathematics, Science and Technology which show a decline and or lower participation of females across subjects, except biology, in comparison to males. According to the Aspirations Longitudinal Study, which surveyed 12186 NSW students and held a focus group of 697 students from 56 schools, only 27% of females had an occupational interest in STEM careers (Jaremus, f., Gore, J., Fray, L. 2018). Engineers Australia also released a report, identifying a lack of females entering into engineering and discussed these trends with multiple stakeholders (Women in Engineering, June 2022).

Mater Dei Catholic college represents a similar trend across STEM areas such as science, mathematics and technology subjects.

This MDCC Girls in STEM High Tea 2022 program developed as a collaboration between Mater Dei Catholic College, Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Education and Training.

The program aimed to promote and encourage future STEM pathways for Stage 5 girls.

The students listened to background information about subject selections and then heard the inspirational journeys of our Guest Speakers:

Myf Clarke

Technical Role

Charles Sturt University

Masters in Agricultural Business Management

Gioia Gianniotis

Principal Architect

GPG Architecture & Design

Megan Williams

Seedcare Institute Commercial Manager

Syngenta

Students then participated in an engineering challenge with the help of STEM professionals who mentored the girls throughout the challenge. The mentors also shared their journeys, passions and career choices.

The Year 11 MDCC Hospitality students catered for the High Tea under the guidance of Ms Hazelwood.

Congratulations to the following students for winning the engineering challenge:

Riona Friedlieb, Georgie Donelan and Ava Moller

Marli McDonnell and Taylor Smyth

THANK YOU

Thank you to the wonderful mentors for inspiring our students and sharing knowledge about yourselves and your STEM pathways.

Thank you also to the fundamental support and coordination of mentors from Jodi-Lynn Slocombe, Administration Officer, AgriPark, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Engagement) Charles Sturt University and Stacey Suidgeest, Senior Project Officer – Regional Industry Education Partnerships, NSW Department of Education and Training.

MENTORS

Gioia Gianniotis	Architect and Business Owner GPG Architecture and Design
Lina Wood	Co-Head Podiatrist & Founder Active Foot Clinic
Jo Cocks	Production and Broadcast Solutions, Specialist: Sport, Movies and TV, Foxtel Group
Lucy Bourne	GHD
Ashley Pattison	Physiotherapist and Accredited Hand Therapist Riverina Hand Therapy
Bella Pakes	Current 3rd year medical student - UNSW
Leigh Maloney	Ecologist - Senior Conservation Planning Officer – South West Biodiversity and Conservation \| Department of Planning and Environment
Bec Dennis	Fisheries Technician Fisheries Research \| NSW Department of Primary Industries \| Fisheries
Desiree Fowler	Project Development Manager Transport for NSW
Amy Evans	Transport for NSW
Dr Miao Li	Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering Charles Sturt University
Danielle Ogden	Road Designer Transport for NSW
Rhena Gerahty
Sandy Collins	RSM Australia Pty Ltd Accountant
Jessica Creed	Regional Manager Regulatory Operations NSW Environment Protection Authority
Briohny Seaman	Senior Operations Officer Regulatory Operations NSW Environment Protection Authority
Jo Nolan	NSW Training Manager CPB Contractors
Sharon Gray	Group Manager, Indigenous and Social Inclusion CPB Contractors
Fiona Piltz	Head of People and Culture Catholic Education Office
Candice Masling	People & Culture Systems Specialist Catholic Education Office
Emma Zanotto	Civil Designer Xeros Piccolo
Clare Lawlor	Audit Accountant Bush & Campbell
Brooke Longmore	Accountant Bush & Campbell
Ellena Zacharia	Project Manager Ladex Construction Group
Megan Williams	Seedcare Institute Commercial Manager Syngenta
Lihong Zheng	Associate Professor in Computer Science Charles Sturt University
Charmaine Carlisle	Laboratory Manager, Faculty of Science Charles Sturt University
Myf Clarke	Project Coordinator, School of Humanities and Social Sciences Charles Sturt University
Bernadette Howard	RSM Australia Pty Ltd Senior Accountant

Courtney Freebody I Leader of Learning and Education

"Mater Dei Matters"

Issue 12 · 11 Aug 2022

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