Australasian Science and Technology Engagement Network Conference

📍 Questacon - National Science and Technology Centre, Canberra

📅 October 2023

The Australasian Science and Technology Engagement Network Conference is a small gathering of passionate educators, demonstrators, curators and program designers from around Australasia interested in getting the public involved, engaged and excited about STEM.

During this conference, I was able to present on how to improve the visibility of STEM role models for rural kids and girls , drawing upon my own expereinces of growing up on a farm in a rural area, having a lack of role models in science throughout my career, and how I am hoping to change that for future generations by speaking to schools and communities about the incredible opportunities out there for them in STEM.

Conference Theme: Creating a better world? Science engagement shaping the conversation.

Sub-theme: Equity and Access

Title: ‘If she can do it, maybe I can too’ – Providing role models for rural kids and girls in STEM

Abstract: It’s hard to imagine yourself doing something when you can’t see anyone else doing it. The lack of visible role models for young people, especially girls, in science and technology may be hindering them from seeing science as a viable career. Within this presentation, I will demonstrate how my participation in Science and Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM program has been an important step in becoming a visible role model for young people in Australia. This program, alongside my position as an educator at the Australian Museum, and a science communication researcher at Macquarie University, allows me to explore how palaeontology, archaeology, and the exciting associations of dinosaurs, ancient civilisations, and solving mysteries of the past can be a gateway into STEM engagement for younger audiences. The founding of my own travelling outreach program to schools will also contribute to increasing exposure to STEM careers to rural schools (a passion evolved from my own childhood growing up in the country), and improving outcomes for equity and access to education, role models, and resources for the future. Getting younger generations interested and invested in science will be essential, as these are the kids who we want to create a better world for, and they’re the ones who will continue the legacy of improving the world in the future.