The second Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) challenge at St Patrick’s College for Girls tomorrow will be bigger and better than the first.
The aim is the same as the inaugural challenge held by the school on October 20 last year but the emphasis this year will be on technology and engineering.
Participating girls from local schools will be challenged to engage in a number of construction and robotics challenges.
A spokesperson for St Patrick’s College said Year 5 and 6 girls from more than 10 local schools, government and private, “will be coming along to our school and will take part in a number of challenges that require building, lateral and creative thinking, with points assigned for each task.
“Following the success of 2016, this year’s STEM challenge is completely full with 19 teams participating,’’ the spokesperson said.
“We are once again hosting the STEM Challenge to increase the awareness of the importance of subjects like science and maths for girls.”
Last year’s inaugural STEM Challenge was in response to the Education Council releasing a strategy for STEM across all schools in Australia in 2016.
The starting point was the acknowledgement that the jobs of the future will be in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The strategy predicted that the inequalities which currently exist in STEM, particularly for girls, students from low socio-economic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and students from non-metropolitan areas, will result in these groups being more likely to miss out on the opportunities that STEM related occupations can offer.
When the leadership team at St Patrick’s College heard about this strategy, they wanted to do something about closing the STEM gap in the Macarthur region for girls.
And so the STEM Challenge was born, which was a big success and will be so again tomorrow.
Saint Patricks College for Girls is a private, Good Samaritan Catholic girls day school located in St John’s Park Road, Campbelltown.
Established in 1840, it was the first school built by private enterprises in NSW.
St Patrick’s College is the only all-girls college in the Macarthur area.
As an all-girls college, the learning experiences, opportunities and resources are structured so girls can grow into confident young women.
SNAPSHOT
WHAT: 2017 STEM Challenge
WHERE: St Patrick’s College for Girls, 4 St Johns Road, Campbelltown
WHEN: Friday, August 11 from 9.30am (Main sessions of the day will run from 10.15am to 11.25am and 12.10pm to 1.20pm)
