TSV teacher creates STEM Changemakers program to give more opportunity to female students

A Townsville teacher has created a unique program after noticing that her regional female students didn’t have the same opportunities as metro students. Read about the program here.

Young girls in regional areas are now able to be connected with local science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) industries thanks to a unique program.

Co-chair of Women in STEMM Australia and Townsville science teacher, Sarah Chapman set out to create STEM Changemakers to provide young women in regional areas with more opportunities.

“As a teacher with 20 years of secondary state school experience, I’ve seen countless talented girls in STEM who lacked support at home or faced too many other life demands,” she said.

“That’s why six months ago I decided to be the change I wanted to see in the world and take a year off work to devote my time to changing opportunities for regional girls in STEM; that is where I developed the STEM Changemakers program.”

In Australia, only 15 per cent of STEM-qualified jobs are held by women despite 80 per cent of the fastest growing occupations requiring STEM skills.

Students participating in a STEM Changemakers Workshops help at James Cook University

“Girls from regional Australia are the least likely to choose a STEM pathway,” Ms Chapman said.

“STEM Changemakers is a two-month program that provides girls with tangible experiences supported by role models to transform girls’ aspirations. It enables them to see a positive future for themselves on a STEM pathway, which is critical.”

The program collaborates with local stakeholders and businesses to showcase the positive impact that the industry has on communities and highlights to students the practical applications of STEM fields.

Ms Chapman is now encouraging anyone interested in supporting the program to assist in boosting regional industries.

“I want to review, improve and offer more engineering-focused STEM Changemaker programs, followed by other targeted STEM programs showcasing regional and rural STEM industries and their impacts, especially in areas like environmental sustainability,” she said.

For more information or to support the STEM Changemakers program, please contact Sarah Chapman at [e-mail]

Originally published as TSV teacher creates STEM Changemakers program to give more opportunity to female students