Women in science inspire next generation

Physicist and former astronaut instructor Dr Gail Iles this month encouraged a room full of senior secondary school students to go after a career in science, even if they are discouraged by others along the way.

About 50 people attended the breakfast for girls in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), which is held annually in Mildura by the Vicphysics Teachers’ Network with funding support from the Invergowrie Foundation.

The students not only heard from an expert guest speaker and had a chance to ask them questions, but also sat at a table with women currently working in STEM who could share their experiences of study and work.

Lower Murray Water project engineer Laura Darcy, MRIC agriculture manager Alina Saeed, Associate Professor in Physics at RMIT University Dr Gail Iles, and ALTSA chemist Shanika Fernando.

The Mallee Regional Innovation Centre is a long-time supporter of the event.

The Centre’s agriculture manager Alina Saeed, who presented at the breakfast along with CEO Rebecca Wells, said Gail’s talk about aeroplanes and rocket science was inspiring for both the girls and women in the room.

“Gail took us through her journey to space, from growing up being interested in the night sky to becoming a physicist and then an astronaut instructor at the European Astronaut Centre,” Alina said.

“She now has her private pilot licence and is learning to fly bigger planes, so she also shared videos and information about aeroplane technology. She also talked about how rockets work and told us about future space programs, including the plan to build infrastructure on the moon, and how the students could get involved by studying a range of things.

“The students had so many great questions, and even after we concluded the event, they gathered around Gail to take photos, share their stories, and ask even more questions.”

Alina, who has multiple degrees in agricultural sciences, said Gail’s personal story was particularly encouraging.

“It was amazing to hear how Gail achieved something she dreamed of doing as a child, despite facing many hardships,” she said.

Every woman has a different story, but you see similarities there and take courage from them. These events are not only important for young minds that are developing, they are important for women like me because they give us the inspiration to go on and do more.