West Wallsend High School use mentors to increase the interest and uptake of STEM related subjects by female students.
Location: 2 Appletree Rd, West Wallsend
Level: Secondary School, Year 7 to Year 12
Enrolment: 567 students
West Wallsend High School is a co-educational, comprehensive school, which fosters an enriched learning environment that delivers innovative teaching and learning experiences enabling students to reach their potential in a global society.
The aim of the initiative was to increase the interest and uptake of STEM and STEM related subjects by girls. The school was already part of the Regional Development Australia Hunter ME program and STEM was offered as an elective.
In 2016, Year 6 girls from one of our feeder primary schools and girls from Years 7-9 were invited to take part in a 3D printing competition. Female staff from TAS, Computing and Science led the workshops.
In 2017, we participated in the “Tech Girls are Superheroes 'Build an App competition'”. We also had a group of girls participating in the Cuberider Space program. The school has had an increase in uptake of STEM related subjects by girls at both HSC and in junior school electives. In 2016-17, the percentage of girls taking preliminary STEM related courses is higher than the State level.
At West Wallsend High School, we have provided our female students with the opportunity to develop and showcase their skills in STEM related subjects in real world scenarios. Anecdotal evidence and statistics indicates that the initiative has been successful, and we will continue to promote 'Girls in STEM' in 2018.
Karen Masters, karen.masters5@det.nsw.edu.au
To access a visual representation of this journey, download the West Wallsend High School - Tech girls creating the future infographic (PDF 61.19KB).
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