STEM program to help Gladstone Indigenous students

The program, which will run on every Thursday until December 9, will allow students to improve engagement, literacy, and school attendance.

Gladstone First Nations primary school students had the chance to explore the world of STEM at CQUniversity on Thursday.

Twenty Gladstone West State School year 3 and 4 students of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage participated in the launch of the 2021 Buraligim Weiber STEM program.

The program, which will run on every Thursday until December 9, will allow students to improve engagement, literacy, and school attendance.

CQUni STEM central lead Dr Linda Pfeiffer said the students would receive hands-on experience and excursions, including boat tours of Gladstone Harbour, Quoin Island, visits to the Botanic Gardens, Spinnaker Park, and CQUni’s Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC).

“The program has been prepared by a team of educators, academics and local community members and will be implemented by one of the school’s teachers, Mirrin Rashleigh, in consultation with Traditional Custodians from the Gooreng Gooreng tribe,” she said.

“The program will allow the children to learn about the world around them, including impacts on the environment, food and sustainability, local flora and fauna, waterways all through the viewpoint of their connection to Country.”

The program was also supported by Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership and Gladstone Ports Corporation.