Education Minister Grace Grace has launched the 2019 STEM Girl Power Camp, welcoming 59 of the state’s brightest year 10 students to the four-day event in Brisbane.
Ms Grace formally opened the camp at Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology (QASMT) last night.
“This annual camp is now in its fourth year and has proven a huge success, with just 22 girls participating in the camp’s inaugural year in 2016,” Ms Grace said.
“This year, we welcome girls and teachers who’ve travelled from all corners of the state, including Dysart, Cooktown, Murgon and Ayr.
“Across the week, these young women will attend workshops and network with female role models in the STEM industry.
“They will walk away from the camp with an even greater passion for STEM which we hope will inspire them to pursue a career in STEM after school.”
Ms Grace said STEM subjects were preparing students for the jobs of the future.
“We know the number of jobs in STEM fields is growing at more than twice the rate of other industries and occupations,” Ms Grace said.
“We also know we are seeing a major shift towards a knowledge-intensive economy which means the demand for STEM skills will only increase over time.
“The Palaszczuk Government is a big believer in STEM, that’s why we’re investing $81.3 million over for years as part of the Advancing STEM initiative which supports STEM subject teaching and learning in all state primary schools.
“This funding can be used by schools to source expertise from local secondary schools, universities or industry.
“It can also be used to gain access to resources they need and to forge new partnerships to make STEM learning more engaging.”
Camp activities will take place at several Brisbane locations including the World Science Festival at Southbank, QUT, Griffith University, the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art.
The STEM Girl Power Camp participants are represented in the following regions:
– Far North QLD
– North QLD
– Darling Downs South West QLD
– Central QLD
– Brisbane
– Gold Coast
– Sunshine Coast
