Life

STEM students chosen for Girl Power Camp

Last Updated: 31 Oct 2023

Two Moreton Bay Region students will join other girls from around the state at the 2022 STEM Girl Power Camp in Brisbane this year.

Aastha Prasad from Pine Rivers State High School and Bray Park State High School’s Isabella Rossow are among 60 of the brightest female STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) students taking part.

Education Minister Grace Grace says outstanding Year 10 students and 10 teachers from across Queensland will take part in the five-day experience, where they have the opportunity to enrich their STEM skills, visit innovative facilities and learn from industry experts.

“For so long, STEM fields have been largely dominated by men – so it’s important that STEM represents the diversity in our society.”

Passion for STEM

The camp has been run since 2016, with one of the key outcomes being to enlist all participants as Regional STEM Girl Power Ambassadors, so they can share their experiences to spark excitement and engagement in their local school communities.

“Students will walk away from the camp with an even greater passion for STEM which we hope will inspire them to pursue a career in STEM after school,” Ms Grace says.

“We’ve already seen the goals of this initiative blossom into concrete outcomes, with many past participants now actively studying or working in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman says the STEM Girl Power Camp will ensure more young women and girls have the opportunities to take up a career in STEM industries.

“We know increasing gender equality in our workplaces increases women’s economic security and can support our efforts to close the gender pay gap,” she says.

Camp activities will take place at several locations, including Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, iFly Brisbane Indoor Skydiving and Cross River Rail.