Excitement filled the halls of UNSW’s Faculty of Engineering as young innovators from Coogee Public School embarked on a two-day journey into the world of science and technology.
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The Girls in STEMM outreach event, held this August, saw eager Year 5 and 6 students trading their regular classrooms for university laboratories, marking a significant step in UNSW’s mission to inspire the next generation of female engineers.
The event, hosted by Dr Wendy Lee as part of the UNSW STEMM Champions program in collaboration with the UNSW Engineering Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) team, focused on encouraging these bright young minds to explore the fascinating world of engineering through hands-on experience.
For Coogee Public School, this partnership with UNSW represents more than just a field trip. The two-day program was specifically designed to introduce the ideas of STEMM to girls and young women, addressing the university’s commitment to boosting participation of underrepresented cohorts in engineering.
The workshops, delivered by various engineering schools within UNSW, including Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, and Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, gave students practical experience with real-world applications.
Participants dove into engaging activities, learning about water filtration, electrical circuits, and the power of solar energy. A highlight of the program was the creation of liquid nitrogen ice cream, demonstrating how scientific principles can be both educational and entertaining.
Throughout the event, students were encouraged to ask “why” and embrace the curiosity that drives innovation in engineering. Their enthusiasm and excitement were evident as they explored various engineering activities, showing promising signs for the future of women in STEMM fields.
The success of the program was made possible through the dedicated support of School academics and the UNSW STEMM Champions team, who played a crucial role in facilitating the workshops and ensuring an enriching experience for all participants.
As the students from Coogee Public School returned to their regular classrooms, they carried with them not just hands-on experience with engineering concepts, but potentially the spark of inspiration that could lead them to pursue engineering careers, perhaps even at UNSW in the future.
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The Faculty of Engineering at UNSW continues to develop its outreach programs, with these initiatives forming part of the university’s broader strategy to address the underrepresentation of women in engineering fields.
Through programs like the Girls in STEMM outreach event, UNSW is working to create pathways for the next generation of female engineers, starting with engaging young minds at the primary school level.
Published 23-October-2024
