Indigenous-led STEM support for Indigenous girls and young women
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have an ongoing relationship with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) that dates back thousands of years. Yet 0.5% of Indigenous peoples held a university STEM qualification in 2021 compared to 4.9% of the rest of the Australian population[1].
The Indigenous Girls’ STEM Academy, funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency is an AUD $25 million, ten-year national investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls who aspire to pursue education and careers in STEM professions. The Academy includes two initiatives: the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy (YIWSA), delivered by the CSIRO - Australia’s National Science Agency and Careertrackers, and a Teachers of STEM Initiative delivered by the Stronger Smarter Institute. Both initiatives are being delivered by organisations with strong cultural capabilities and target the employment of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Over the period 2018–2028, the Academy is supporting at least 600 high-achieving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young women from upper secondary school, through various tertiary pathways including university and into careers through the YIWSA initiative. In addition, the Teachers of STEM Initiative is supporting the training of up to 99 new STEM specialised, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women teachers.
Indigenous-led steering committees, made up of experts in education, STEM fields and Indigenous research methodologies, advise, guide and monitor implementation. This approach provides a culturally safe and supportive environment for young women to explore their STEM interests and identity.
The Academy supports young Indigenous women to achieve their personal and academic goals, build confidence and STEM networks and increase the value placed on Indigenous STEM knowledges. In doing so is creating a pipeline of female Indigenous STEM professionals and teachers.
Contributed by: National Indigenous Australians Agency
[1] 2021 Census Data (Australia)
Andy Johnston – Branch Manager, Early Years and Education, National Indigenous Australians Agency.