STEM on Barwon program helps unlock career possibilities for Bourke and Brewarrina students
Delegates from the School of Computing and Information Systems visit Bourke and Brewarrina. Picture: Casamento Photography.
Secondary school students in a remote region of northern NSW have completed a four-day program of activities, learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
A team of 11 academics from the School of Computing and Information Systems participated in the University’s first ‘STEM on Barwon’ program. They visited schools in Bourke and Brewarrina to introduce students in Years 7-10 to some of the opportunities available in STEM.
The program included a series of workshops on storytelling through data visualisation, with students creating their own websites with data maps to present to their peers and teachers by the end of the week.
Led by Associate Dean Indigenous in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, Associate Professor Joseph West, the program sought to dispel myths about STEM careers and present the field as a real opportunity for young people in the region.
“The kids could see through this program that there are a lot of opportunities and roles for different types of people in STEM,” A/Prof West said.
“In these workshops, the kids were able to engage with our academics and the material they presented and see they are just people with a passion for their topics.”
Associate Professor West is a Murawarri engineer, who was born in Bourke himself, and a Fulbright Scholar. He established the program as a follow-up to the success of the Return to Country program, which visited Bourke last year.
“The inaugural Return to Country program was in Bourke and Brewarinna so it’s great to return here, off the back of that success, and to continue engaging with this community.
“Whether it’s STEM on Barwon, Return to Country or another of our initiatives, the chance to get out there and educate kids on the opportunities that are available to them is crucial if we are to increase participation for rural, regional, remote and Indigenous students. It’s a big wide world out there and everyone should have the chance to explore it and make an impact.”