Picnic Point Public School Parents and Citizens (P&C) group suggested they plan an event supporting NSW Women’s Week. Their immediate thought was how to create an event to celebrate women and promote STEM education for girls.

This led to their 'Girls in STEM' afternoon. Primary school girls in Years 3–6 were invited to attend after school hours, bringing along an important female adult in their lives.

Staff started the event by speaking about the importance of encouraging girls in STEM from an early age, during a welcome afternoon tea.

They moved into groups, and the girls and their adults worked together to complete STEM challenges, focusing on teamwork and providing shared experiences. This generated wonder, excitement and a sense of accomplishment.

These activities were:

• an engineering challenge – designing and building the tallest tower using a limited number of sheets of newspaper and tape
• a science, engineering and mathematics challenge – building a scribble robot to contribute to a combined artwork
• a technology and mathematics challenge – using Micro:bits to create simple handheld games.

Benefits

The school found that the girls who attended:

• demonstrated greater enthusiasm during STEM lessons
• felt empowered to become the experts in their class groups when the same activities have been used in class programs.

It has prompted:

• more discussion in class with boys and girls curious as to why this event was held
• constructive conversations about future STEM careers for boys and girls.

Promoting STEM professions

By working together to complete STEM challenges, the school hoped that:

• the girls would be better supported at home to continue to engage with STEM activities in and outside of school
• conversations at home about STEM would be initiated
• the girls would further explore and engage with the activities by taking home their creations
• the engagement and support of an important adult may help these girls explore a career in STEM.