17/03/2026
👩‍🚀NORTH WEST STUDENTS TACKLE WORLD OF STEM 🚜
🧪💪Regional girls are tackling real-world STEM challenges – as the STEM Changemakers program brings hands-on learning to Mount Isa and Cloncurry students.
👩‍🔬Founded by Sarah Chapman, the program connects students with industry and university experts 🤝 to solve local issues that specific to the regions students call home – including mine rehabilitation, plastic waste and remote health.
✨Founder Sarah Chapman says that there has been a decline in participation, and keeping girls engaged in STEM is key to building pathways in future careers.
💬“It’s very important to showcase programs like this, girls in regional Australia are the least likely to choose a STEM pathway, that’s behind every other demographic in Australia.”
Country University Centre Mount Isa hosted 20 high school students, and centre manager Sean Bower says that enthusiasm from students, parents and local industries has been fantastic to see.
💬“Building awareness of local issues and application of science principals, also building aspirations for, and connections towards careers that are closer to home than the students may otherwise realise.”
The six-week program wrapped up last weekend where students presented their solutions to family and communities. 🔬
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