‘Incredible experience’: How one young student is inspiring girls into a STEM career
Two students from Nightcliff Middle School have joined their peers from across Australia at the prestigious national Curious Minds summer camp in Canberra, with fellow Territorians from O’Loughlin Catholic College and The Essington School.
While city students often dominate elite programs, one Darwin teenager has proven that Territory kids can compete with the nation’s best in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Nightcliff Middle School student 14-year-old Harriet Hendry, was one of two selected from the school to join like-minded peers from schools across Australia including other Territorians from O’Loughlin Catholic College and The Essington School.
Harriet has just returned from the prestigious national Curious Minds summer camp in Canberra at the Australian National University, with another program about to kick off at the University of Adelaide.
The program provides participants hands-on learning, mentorship and support from female STEM experts and coaches alongside the exploration of cutting-edge STEM fields.
Federal Minister for Education, Jason Clare said more of our future jobs will require STEM skills.
“Curious Minds plays an important role in developing pathways for girls to become the next generation of female scientists, engineers and mathematicians”, the Minister said.
Speaking about her experience with the Curious Minds camp, Harriet said it was an incredible experience.
“We heard from women working in all kinds of STEM fields and it was inspiring to learn how they got to where they are,” she said.
“It opened my eyes to careers I didn’t know existed.
“Programs like Curious Minds push you to see what you’re capable of, and it’s made me even more motivated to work towards becoming a doctor.”
Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling praised Harriet’s achievements.
“Harriet’s achievement is outstanding, and it’s great to see a young Territorian stepping into a national STEM opportunity like this” he said.
“It’s terrific to see Harriet leaning into her passion for science, and I’ve got every confidence we’ll be referring to her as Dr Hendry one day,” Mr Gosling said.
Harriet said it was important for girls, especially in the Territory, to have opportunities like this.
“We don’t always have the same access to programs as kids in bigger cities, so being selected means a lot,” she said.
“Seeing women succeeding in STEM shows young girls that we can do anything, and do it just as well as anyone else.”
The program runs for six-months, and more information about the program is available at the Curious Minds website.
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Originally published as ‘Incredible experience’: How one young student is inspiring girls into a STEM career
