TECHNOLOGY // EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR
Superstars of STEM is a program that has fast-tracked the profile and leadership careers of 150 brilliant Australian female scientists and inspired tens of thousands of school children.
Inspiring the next generation of female scientists and engineers THE WORLD HAS CHANGED A LOT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS HIGHLIGHTED THE ESSENTIAL ROLE THAT SCIENCE PLAYS TO RESPOND TO SOME OF OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES.
But while this has been happening, another seismic shift has been taking place in the media, on television news, and in Australia’s schools. Quietly but steadily. Scientists have become a lot more visible. And those scientists aren’t stereotypes of stuffy old men in lab coats - they’re a diverse range of brilliant women from across the country, the breadth of the science community, and with wide-ranging expertise. They are Science & Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM. If you’ve been in an Australian school over the last few years, you’ll probably have heard of the Superstars of STEM. But in case you haven’t, here’s a quick recap. Since 2017, this world-leading program has fast-tracked the profile and leadership careers of 150 brilliant Australian female
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“It’s hard to be what you can’t see. By nurturing these diverse visible role models of women in STEM - in the media, in public leadership and in our schools - this program powerfully shows girls and young women that STEM is for them.” scientists, smashed gender stereotypes about what a scientist looks like, and inspired tens of thousands of school children to consider studying science, technology, engineering or maths. In the last two years alone, more than 21,000 Australian school students have been inspired by school visits and talks by the Superstars of STEM. The work the Superstars are doing is essential, and it’s making a difference.
education matters secondary
Research shows that scientists visiting schools inspires kids to choose STEM studies. In a recent study, 94 per cent of teachers surveyed said a visit from the Superstars of STEM had influenced their students’ choice of subjects. The program has also stratospherically elevated the profile and fast-tracked the careers of Superstars. These amazing women scientists are everywhere you look in the media, reaching a staggering cumulative media audience of
