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2023 Girls in STEM

Sixty-five girls in Years 8 -10 from 15 different secondary schools all around Ballarat came together 4 times (once a term) to share 2-days of STEM activities, experiences, site visits and design challenges.

This program is especially designed for young women in Ballarat to explore STEM opportunities in study choices and future career pathways.

The program will focus on:

  • Creating a local network of young women from different schools with interests in STEM subjects.

  • Introduction to local industries and mentors using STEM in their work.

  • Developing skills in Human Centred Design Thinking.

  • Providing opportunities to enhance communication and networking skills.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT:

  • 2 Days each term on site at Ballarat Tech School.

  • Getting to know other local girls interested in STEM.

  • Meeting mentors working in STEM.

  • Industry field trips.

  • Design challenges.

  • Guest speakers.

  • Laboratory experiences.

  • Team Challenges and prizes.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Times: Each program runs from 9:00am to 3:30pm
Transport: You will need to make your own way to and from the Tech School
What to bring: Lunch, Snacks, Drink Bottle
Dress Code: School Uniform

 

PROGRAM DATES AND THEMES:

TERM 1: Technology & Engineering, March 21st and 22nd 2023

  • Collaborative Teamwork with IBM

  • Get to Know Your Tech School - Tech Taster workshops

  • Engineering Design with  with Mars Wrigley Confectionery 

  • Girls in STEM Welcome Event
    Open invite to all families, teachers and mentors.
    4:00 - 5:00pm - Afternoon tea and tours of the Tech School facilities.
    5:00 - 5:30pm - Welcome to Ballarat Tech School and the 2023 Girls in STEM Program.

 

TERM 2: Engineering & Design, June 7th and 8th 2023

  • Tour Bartlett Industrial Textile Manufacturing site

  • Use Human Centered Design Thinking to re-purpose industrial waste

  • Students share their designs for feedback with local STEM Industry mentors

  • Showcase of student prototype designs

 

TERM 3: Space Science & Mathematics, September 5th and 6th 2023

  • Live link up with the Australian Space Discovery Center - TBC

  • Moon Mission - explore the challenges of landing the Australian Rover on the moon

  • Moon rover deployment with Victorian Space Science Education Center (VSSEC)

  • Alien Invasion Challenge - using mathematics to save the teacher from alien abduction

 

TERM 4: Technology &  Robotic Science, October 24th and 25th 2023             

  • Indoor and Outdoor Drone Racing Contests

  • Drone applications with Victorian Unmanned Ariel Systems (VUAS)

  • Skill-Up in robot building, robot coding, robot applications

  • Girls in STEM Program Celebration
    Open invite to all families, teachers and mentors.
    4:00 - 5:00pm - Afternoon tea and tour of 2023 Girls in STEM Showcase.
    5:00 - 5:30pm - Celebration of the 2023 Girls in STEM Program. 

 

GIRLS IN STEM OPEN HOUSE:

This year we are welcoming parents, guardians, families, teachers and mentors to experience a little of what our Girls in STEM program is all about.  We hope you will take up this opportunity to share with your young people the opportunities and experiences they engage with over the course of the year, and celebrate with them the possibilities working in STEM opens up. 

We know from research that when young people are able to share their experiences and interests with family and friends they are more likely to take educational risks and challenge themselves to take that extra step.  

We invite you to take this step with your young person and share in their Girls in STEM journey.

Tuesday 21st March 2023 - Girls in STEM Welcome Event
4:00 - 5:00pm - Afternoon tea and tour of the Ballarat Tech School facilities.
5:00 - 5:30pm - Welcome to Ballarat Tech School and the 2023 Girls in STEM Program.

Thursday 2nd November 2023 - Girls in STEM 2023 Celebration Event
4:00 - 5:00pm - Afternoon tea and tour of 2023 Girls in STEM Showcase.
5:00 - 5:30pm - Celebration of the 2023 Girls in STEM Program.