Girls Answer the Call of Science

 

Three Girton Grammar students have been selected from 400 applicants across Victoria to take part in a University of Melbourne program designed to attract and sustain female Secondary school students in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, Medicine) subjects.

 

The “Girlpower in STEMM” program is a four year pilot course being offered by the Melbourne School of Engineering (MSE) and the Melbourne School of Information (MSI) to contribute towards gender parity in STEMM disciplines.

 

Headmaster at Girton Grammar School, Mr Matthew Maruff, said he was thrilled to have three Year 9 girls taking on the four year commitment.

 

“All three girls are already quite immersed in STEMM subjects at School and will gain different things by being involved in this new program.

 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the girls to experience first-hand the type of career that they might have and to better understand the application of the subjects that they are studying.

 

“At Girton, we have good participation of girls in STEMM subjects but we are well aware that only about one third of tertiary qualifications are currently being awarded to women in STEMM fields,” Mr Maruff said.

 

Evelyn Crawford, Millicent a’Beckett and Amelia Campagnaro are three of only 30 students who will take part in the program, which kicks off with a three day student camp at the University of Melbourne. The camp will involve presentations by academics, panel discussions with industry and interactive workshops. Participants in the program will enjoy Year 10 work experience at the University of Melbourne or with industry sponsors of the program and will be supported in their final years of school by academic and industry mentors.

 

“I know our three girls will thrive in this program, working with like-minded students from all over Victoria.

 

“They will be an asset to the program and already have some great ideas for making STEMM subjects more attractive to female students,” Mr Maruff said.

 

GGS Science Students-1