Program Overview
The STEM on Barwon-Darling Program builds on the success of the 2024 Return to Country initiative. The program aims to establish a meaningful, long-term relationship with remote and rural communities in the Barwon-Darling region.
The program brings together FEIT academics to deliver hands-on STEM workshops to remote and regional schools. By meeting students where they are, the program reduces barriers to participation and introduces practical, exciting ways for young people to imagine a future in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The program enables participating academics to engage in cultural education activities, fostering respectful, place-based relationships and deepening engagement with Indigenous knowledges.
Aim
The STEM on Barwon-Darling Program aims to inspire remote high school students to explore STEM through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. By showcasing pathways into engineering and IT, the program encourages students to consider further education and careers in these fields. The program also aims to provide schools and communities with resources that diversify knowledges and classroom activities in STEM.
2025 STEM on Barwon
FEIT began a season of listening and giving in Brewarrina and Bourke in regional New South Wales, inspiring Indigenous, regional, rural, and remote high school students to explore STEM.
In 2025, Computing and Information Systems (CIS) School inside FEIT delivered the inaugural program. The initiative offered a unique opportunity for participating academics to deliver programs on Country, engage in local cultural education activities, and connect with Indigenous knowledges. With a focus on giving and listening to the community, the program enriches the learning environment for students while deepening FEIT’s understanding of community priorities and enhancing cultural competency among staff.
Brewarrina is home to one of Australia’s important Indigenous engineering structures, Baiame's Ngunnhu, ancient stone fish traps. This significant example of Indigenous engineering provides an opportunity to build a strong and meaningful connection between the region and FEIT.
Key Components
STEM School Outreach Program Tuesday 28 October - Friday 31 October 2025 | The STEM School Program offered hands-on workshops and interactive sessions designed to spark curiosity and build confidence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Delivered in 2025 by CIS academics, the program aims were to introduce core STEM concepts in a fun and accessible way, while highlighting real-world applications and future career pathways. |
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Community Dinner Thursday 30 October 2025 | During the week, The University of Melbourne hosted a roundtable dinner with school principals, staff, community members, and university colleagues. The discussion provided a space to share reflections from the week and to hear directly from community voices about their lived realities, aspirations, and ambitions in education and STEM. |
Staff Cultural Education Activity 2025 Saturday 25 October – Sunday 26 October | As part of the visit, CIS academics participated in a dedicated Cultural Education Activity led by local community members. This session deepened understanding of the region’s cultural context, enhanced appreciation of Indigenous knowledges, and supported respectful, place-based engagement. Providing an important opportunity for staff to listen, learn, and strengthen their cultural competency while building meaningful relationships with the community. |
News and media
Partner with us
If you are passionate about supporting the STEM on Barwon-Darling Program, we would love to hear from you. We are open to sponsorship, collaboration on future programming, or contributions in other meaningful ways. To express your interest or to learn more about how you can get involved, please contact us at engit-indigenous@unimelb.edu.au