Indigenous Girls' STEM Academy

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The Indigenous Girls’ STEM Academy (the Academy) is a $25 million, ten-year national investment in high-achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls who aspire to pursue education and careers in STEM professions. The Academy is fostering a generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander female leaders in STEM.

The Academy operates nationally, with locations chosen strategically according to populations, language groups and maximising access for high-achieving, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and girls.

The Academy comprises of a Student Initiative, led by CSIRO in consortium with CareerTrackers, and a Teachers of STEM Initiative, led by the Stronger Smarter Institute (SSI).

Indigenous Girls’ STEM Academy $25 Million Program over 10 years 2018 – 2008 Student Initiative - $20 million High school component delivered by CSIRO. The CSIRO Academy program offers additional STEM opportunities and personalised support to Indigenous girls in year 8 to year 12. Tertiary component delivered by CareerTrackers. In partnership with CSIRO, CareerTrackers offers services and mentoring support to young Indigenous female students in Year 12, as they move into tertiary studies so they can prepare themselves for a career in STEM. Teachers’ Initiative – $5 million Stronger Smarter Institute The Stronger Smarter Institute provides scholarships and mentoring support to eligible Indigenous students studying STEM specialised teaching courses at university.

For a printable version of the infographic, you can refer to the to the Indigenous Girls' STEM Academy - PDF 175 KB.

Indigenous Steering Committees

The Academy and its two initiatives, the Student Initiative (delivered by (CSIRO) and the Teachers of STEM Initiative (delivered by SSI) have Indigenous-led steering committees that advise, guide and monitor implementation. The committees are made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts in Education, STEM fields and Indigenous Research methodologies.

Student Initiative

CSIRO’s Student Initiative is supporting up to 1,000 high-achieving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young women from high school, through university, and into graduate careers.

The Student Initiative provides culturally tailored support, internships and work experience opportunities. For more information, please visit CSIRO Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy.

CSIRO logo

CSIRO Student Initiative

 Year 8Year 9Year 10Year 11Year 12
Academic Coordinator and learning plan✓✓✓✓✓
Assemblies and online learning opportunities✓✓✓✓✓
STEM camps✓ ✓  
CREST project ✓✓✓✓
Work placement  ✓✓ 

Career Trackers

 Pre-university
(High school students
Year 8-12)		New university studentReturning university student
Leadership Development institute✓✓✓
Program orientation✓✓ 
Summer Program Day✓✓✓
Summer kick-off workshop✓✓ 
Winter Program Day✓✓✓
Winter kick-off workshop✓✓ 
Career planning✓✓ 
CV writing✓✓ 
Interview preparation✓✓ 
Career awareness workshop✓  
Industry mentor meet and greet✓  
Exam study skills session✓  

 

Teachers of STEM Initiative

SSI’s Teachers of STEM Initiative is supporting the training of up to 99 new, STEM specialised, female, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander teachers (Jardibirrijba and Jardi Dadarrinyi)

The Teachers of STEM Initiative is also supporting targeted Professional Development for teachers to support all students to explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges in STEM. For more information, please visit Stronger Smarter Institute Teachers in STEM.

The Teachers of STEM Initiative program names are drawn from Waanyi Garrawa Language.

Jardibirrijba
make strong
Jardi Dadarrinyi
standing strong, straight,
backbone
Jarlarla
blaze up, catch fire, ignite

 

Stronger Smarter Institute

Teacher of STEM Initiative

JardibirrijbaJardi DadarrinyiJarlarla
Growing the female Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander STEM teaching workforceStrengthening STEM teaching

Support to complete STEM teaching qualifications, including:

  • Development of a High Expectations Relationship Personal Development Plan.
  • Mentoring, collaboration and networking opportunities.
  • Introduction to Indigenous pedagogies like Yarning Circle.
  • Information about the relevant STEM specific teacher courses and universities offering culturally sensitive courses.
  • Information about other relevant student support and financial services.

Networking and professional practice development, including:

  • Peer collaboration and networking opportunities.
  • Exposure to Indigenous Knowledge experts and other STEM educators.
  • Ideas and strategies to incorporate culturally-responsive curriculums into lesson planning.
  • Ideas and strategies to improve the STEM educational experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
  • Support for participants to bring their own STEM Indigenous Knowledge to the classroom.

A Professional Development program that aims to improve all teacher’s knowledge and understanding of:

  • strengths-based approaches to teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners
  • Indigenous female learners engagement and achievement in STEM
  • Indigenous Knowledges in STEM and their connection to the Australian Curriculum
  • how to develop and use culturally proficient classroom resources
  • STEM inquiry-based learning suited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders learners.

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