The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources has launched the latest round of its Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WiSE) grants to bridge the gap between men’s and women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The Department of Industry said its latest STEM Equity Monitor data showed women and girls made up less than a quarter of students studying STEM.
“Women also represent only 13 per cent of people employed in STEM-qualified occupations; they earn an average of $28,994 less than men,” Industry said.
“Participation rates and income levels are even lower for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse women,” it said.
“Further to this, there are four key areas where more could be done to support women in STEM, they include information technology, engineering, entrepreneurship and intersectionality.”
Industry said its grants program would see eight trailblazing WiSE projects run across the country, including the University of Canberra’s Biomechanics Research & Innovation Challenge: 100 girls, 100 stories, 100 Days project to give high school girls in Years nine and 10 an opportunity to work with 25 early career women in biomechanists.
The Department said the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) would engage Indigenous women and rangers to use digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and data analysis to manage their land.
It said Young Change Agents would deliver design-thinking entrepreneurial workshops to Indigenous girls and women in Western Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales and Queensland through its Lighting the Spark project.
“In Victoria, Workforce Plus will organise the ’Change Makers of Gippsland’ project; the project will encourage women and girls to co-design solutions to locally-relevant STEM problems across renewable energy, circular economy industries and other areas,” Industry said.
“The Creative Cooperative’s ‘Anyone Can’ project will enhance the visibility of successful women of colour entrepreneurs; it will also deliver culturally-appropriate education, events and guidance.”
It said WiSE grants had also been awarded to Robogals to deliver a capability-building program to support primary school teachers; Engineers Without Borders Australia for an outreach program; and Food Futures Company to increase entrepreneurial opportunities for Indigenous women.
Information on the WISE grants program and iys recipients can be accessed at this PS News link.
