Flinders hosts fourth conference to inspire more girls in STEM

NOTE: To view a short two-minute video of last year’s I-WiSH 2023 highlights, click here.

An annual conference initiated at a leading Sunshine Coast school in 2021 has expanded nationally, with more than 100 girls connected with 10 leading Australian researchers at Matthew Flinders Anglican College from 12-14 August as part of National Science Week 2024.

Now running for four years the Flinders Inspiring Women in Science and Health (I-WiSH) conference this year - for the first time - hosted 24 students and staff from Pymble Ladies College in Sydney and St Catherine’s School in Melbourne who joined the more than 60 students at Flinders with a passion for science.

College Principal Michelle Carroll said, “We are delighted to be connecting with schools across Australia who are also passionate about giving more girls from Years 10 to 12 more opportunities to explore diverse STEM pathways.

“Our Flinders I-WiSH conference helps demystify STEM careers by linking students with inspiring role models working in authentic careers on trailblazing projects,” Ms Carroll said.

“As a College, we are determined to be proactive in addressing the ‘State of STEM Gender Equity’ report, which reveals that girls need more support in exploring science-related careers.

“We were pleased to share our knowledge, passion and experience with students and staff of Pymble Ladies College and St Catherine's School, who were impressed by the strength and impact of the I-WiSH format and are keen to co-host the event in 2025 and beyond.”

The conference at Flinders was guided by a passionate team of teachers, including Dr Louise McCuaig, the Head of the Flinders Discovery Institute; Mr John Fitzgerald, the Head of Science in Secondary School; and Mrs Emmie Cossell, Year 9 Project Leader and co-designer of I-WiSH.

Dr Louise McCuaig said, “Our fourth Flinders I-WiSH conference has evolved with a bolder vision to encourage more girls nationally to embrace opportunities in STEM.

“With each year this event is held at Flinders and expands to other research-invested schools, we are improving the outcomes for girls and women in STEM in Australia,” Dr McCuaig said.

“The big-picture goal for the Flinders I-WiSH is to equip young women with skills that promote their resilience and capacity to overcome barriers and thrive within Health Related-STEM industries.

“The I-WiSH format is so powerful because it enables students to explore STEM careers in truly energetic, creative and collaborative ways that build their leadership skills and confidence.

“The students appreciated the opportunity to meet women working in authentic careers who are passionate about making an impact and contributing to a better world.

“It was fabulous to witness young women exploring their passion for STEM and strengthening their courage to pursue that passion.”

After the two-day conference, Dr McCuaig hosted the conference delegates for a tour of the University of Queensland campus in Brisbane.

The students had the chance to meet with some of the young scholars of the UQ Liveris Academy, an excellence program exploring leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, cognitive agility and emotional intelligence.

Students also enjoyed hearing the remarkable career story in pharmacy of Professor Lisa Nissen, who provided the I-WiSH keynote address at the conference. Professor Nissen is the Director of the EvolveHealth Health Workforce Optimisation Program at UQ, which aims to address some of the most pressing health and medical challenges of today.

Students provided positive feedback on the conference, with comments including:

“I-WiSH was beneficial because it helped me gain more insight into what aspects of STEM I might be interested in pursuing after I graduate and go to university.”

“I-WiSH has encouraged me to continue with a career in science and health and has helped me gain skills and further establish confidence in myself and in my leadership abilities.”

“I-WiSH has strengthened my sense of community and purpose, encouraging me to take on leadership roles and positively impact both my student life and future career.”

Students Explore Change Maker Strategy with Research Mentors

Sarah Loch, the Director of the Pymble Institute at Pymble Ladies College, reported from the I-WISH conference: “The future of women's leadership and influence in health and science careers is looking bright with such an outstanding conference as I-WiSH.

“We were so fortunate to be a part of the I-WiSH conference, our first ‘research excursion’.

“Thank you Matthew Flinders Anglican College along with all the inspirational people involved.”

Kristy Forrest, Head of Professional Practice, Philosophy and English Teacher at St Catherine’s School, commented, “Over three days, our Year 10s had the privilege of learning from and collaborating with top notch Phd students and researchers, who generously shared their time in helping the students work to develop a ‘three-minute thesis’ science advocacy pitch to communicate their chosen researcher’s findings.

“Thank you to Louise McCuaig at Flinders, whose passion and commitment to intergenerational knowledge sharing is inspiring and very much needed in a time where student engagement is of primary concern.”

The conference involved a three-hour Change Maker strategy where the students worked in small groups with a researcher mentor to advocate for one doctoral project to benefit the broader Australian community.

The student groups presented their proposed strategy in a modified 3MT presentation to the 2024 I-WiSH participants and judging panel.

Research Guest Speakers and Mentors

The guest researchers include:

The 10 researchers shared their work on cutting-edge, world-class research projects and discoveries in Health-Related Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (HeR-STEM) fields.

Their research explored a range of topics, such as the mapping of dark energy, nutrition and paediatric wellbeing, the impact of toxins on germ cells, restoration of coastal ecosystems, countering blue screen impact on macular degeneration, and fighting dementia through exercise.

Addressing the State of STEM Gender Equity Report

“The recent ‘State of STEM Gender Equity’ report reveals that girls need more support in exploring science careers,” Dr McCuaig said.

The report reveals concerning data, that:

girls’ confidence in STEM subjects is generally lower than boys and falls as they get older;
women make up 37% of enrolments in university STEM courses, and just 17% of VET STEM enrolments; and
only 15% of STEM-qualified jobs are held by women

There is also good news in the report:

The number of women in STEM-qualified occupations increased by 68% from 2012 to 2022
girls make up the majority of students in many Year 12 STEM subjects, including in the fields of biological sciences, earth sciences, chemical sciences and agricultural and environmental studies.

To learn more about Flinders, go to www.mfac.edu.au