The Science and Engineering Challenge is a national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) outreach program.
The Program is hoping to address the Indigenous STEM education gap by funding a dedicated Indigenous Science Communication Scholarship. Each year the Challenge offers a number of Science Communication Scholarships to undergraduate or ‘gap year’ students. These 20 week scholarships provide extensive opportunities to learn and practice essential science communication skills. Scholarship recipients train and travel with the Challenge team helping to run events in primary and high schools. They also study an online Science Communication course.
An increased Indigenous presence in Science and Engineering Challenge activities will provide a role model for the Indigenous school students who attend Challenge events. This builds the visibility of pathways from school maths and science to real jobs, and will help to drive the Indigenous STEM careers pipeline forward.
The Challenge team is working closely with The Wollotuka Institute at the University of Newcastle to generate interest in this initiative. Professor John Lester, Dean of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Research, sees clear value in a dedicated Indigenous Science Communication Scholar:
“This scholarship has many benefits. It gives an Indigenous university student an opportunity to learn new skills which will help them in their future career. It also creates a role model within the Indigenous community – an ambassador who can inspire school students to look at STEM education options which will increase STEM enrolments, participation and completions. Finally, it also provides a really important avenue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students to bring their traditional culture into STEM education activities and show the strong link between Indigenous culture and science”.
For more information visit http://www.pozible.com/project/204157