Generation STEM
Generation STEM is a 10-year initiative to attract, support, and retain NSW students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Managed by CSIRO, the program is made possible by the NSW Government’s $25 million endowment to the Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF).
Generation STEM highlights the different pathways students can take to create their dream STEM careers. It also helps students get a head start by developing the skills that employers want and by encouraging curiosity, initiative and critical thinking.
CSIRO is working with community, industry and the education sector to develop and deliver programs that have impact, with a clear focus on achieving measurable results.
csiro_-_stem_community_partnership_program_2022_-_170422 (540p)
[Music plays and a split circle appears and photographs of various CSIRO activities are shown in either side and then the circle morphs into the CSIRO logo]
[Image changes to show Narelle Archer talking to the camera, and text appears: Narelle Archer, Principal, Mount St Joseph Catholic College Milperra]
Narelle Archer: We have loved being a part of the CSIRO STEM Community Partnership Programme.
[Image changes to show a rear and then facing view of two female students walking in a classroom, and then the image changes to show a rear view of a female student working on a computer]
It’s brought excitement to the staff.
[Images move through of a close view of a 3D printer in operation, and then the image changes to show a close view of the drawing the machine is working on]
They’ve been able to really think outside the square and have a bit of fun.
[Image changes to show Lauren Klein talking to the camera, and text appears: Lauren Klein, Leader – Instructional Specialist, Mount St Joseph Catholic College Milperra]
Lauren Klein: Our students have such curiosity and such creativity and this has allowed them to shine.
[Image changes to show students working on a 3D printer, and then the image changes to show two of the female students in conversation]
I’ve loved watching them create solutions to problems.
[Images move through of a rear, facing and then side view of Calvin walking near school buildings, and then the image changes to show Calvin talking to the camera and Wilson listening, and text appears: Calvin, Student John Edmondson High School, Wilson, Student John Edmondson High School]
Calvin: STEM for me is helping our community be more sustainable and understanding that STEM is really vital in everyone’s lives.
[Images move through of Calvin working on a computer, and the camera zooms in on the computer screen]
We just can find solutions everywhere. We just have to look.
[Images move through to show a male student working on a computer, and then the image changes to show Nikie talking to the camera on the left and Shafeeya listening on the right, and text appears: Nikie, Student, Sarah Redfern High School, Shafeeya, Student, Sarah Redfern High School]
Nikie: It’s so exciting to live in a STEM and a technologically driven world, especially as young people today where we interact with it everyday but we don’t really know the real mechanics behind it and how it works.
[Images move through of a large screen mounted on a wall, and then camera zooms in on the screen showing a building type project on the screen]
So, it was really exciting to have that opportunity and it was thrilling to experience that.
[Images move through of a group of students in conversation with a mentor, and the camera zooms in on the students, and then the image changes to show two male students walking towards the camera]
See, I think the most exciting thing about the project overall is that we were able to collaborate with not only our classmates but also talk to many of the people outside our usual social circle.
[Camera zooms in on the male students’ faces, and then the camera zooms out to show the two male students posing for a photo, and then the image changes to show a close view of a 3D printer]
You know, it was great gathering all perspectives and also incorporating our own to create a very innovative and accommodating solution for everybody.
[Images move through to show a female student watching a 3D printer at work, a close view of the printer in operation, and then Lauren Klein talking to the camera]
Lauren Klein: Having a connection with industry it means that they see it as real and they see it as a possibility for their future.
[Image changes to show Christopher Guthrie talking to the camera, and text appears: Christopher Guthrie, Coordinator Business Development, Liverpool City Council]
Christopher Guthrie: It provides students with the opportunity to talk directly with businesses, be mentored by businesses.
[Images move through to show two female students working with a robotic model vehicle, and the camera zooms in on the vehicle]
We’re really paving the way to future generations with this programme.
[Image changes to show Charles Elbayeh talking to the camera, and text appears: Charles Elbayeh, National Product Manger Equipment, Lincoln Electric]
Charles Elbayeh: Being a mentor, I really hope that I can give the students a really good understanding of industry.
[Images move through of a female student operating a controller, a close vehicle of the robotic vehicle she is operating, and the two female students laughing together as they watch the vehicle]
It allows the students to become more engaged in schools and solve problems that are actually relevant to our community.
[Images move through of a male student working on a computer with a building programme, a large screen mounted on the wall, and the student working at the computer]
Nikie: I think after leaving this project this has really help me ease into the world of STEM.
[Image changes to show Nikie talking to the camera while Shafeeyah listens]
So, it’s definitely something that I’ll consider in the future.
[Image changes to show Joanne on the left talking to the camera and Lily listening on the right, and text appears: Joanne, Student, Mount St Joseph Catholic College Milperra, Lily, Student, Mount St Joseph Catholic College Milperra]
Joanne: I would love to consider a career in STEM because
[Images move through of a student drawing a diagram, the student smiling as she looks down, and an actual model next to a drawing of the model]
I would love to be part of the future generation that contributes a lot to science.
[Image changes to show Calvin talking to the camera while Wilson listens on the right]
Calvin: STEM is the most vital thing you could ever have.
[Images move through of students looking at a building programme on a computer screen and pointing to the screen]
With an understanding of STEM the future is limitless.
[Images move through to show Lauren talking to the camera, a building programme on the computer screen, two students looking at the screen, and a group of students working together at a table]
Lauren Klein: STEM is real and it shows them that science and maths, engineering and technology don’t stand alone.
[Image changes to show Charles talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show a student writing in a workbook]
Charles Elbayeh: Without the next generation of scientists and engineers we’re not going to grow.
[Images move through of close view of the student at work]
So, it’s so important that we teach and inspire the next generation.
[Image changes to show Cr Margaret Chivers talking to the camera, and text appears: Cr Margaret Chivers, Councillor Campbelltown City Council]
Cr. Margaret Chivers: The STEM Community Partnership Programme is exciting.
[Images move through of Margaret talking to students while a hydrogen fuel cell buss model moves around a track, a close view of the students listening, and a close view of Margaret talking]
It embodies hope and it’s hope for our future
[Images move through of Margaret talking to the students, two female students working at a table, and a close view of a 3D printer in operation]
and when you talk to the, to the students who have taken part in this STEM project they are truly excited about the future and so that, that really excites me.
[Images move through of two female students looking at a 3D printed model, a male student demonstrating to Margaret and other students, and Shafeeyah talking while the other students listen]
What I loved about it were there were, it wasn’t gender heavy.
[Images move through of Nikie talking while the other students and Margaret listen]
There were boys and there were girls and they, and there was no difference to their passion.
[Image changes to show a group of students walking towards the camera, and then the image changes to show Margaret talking to the camera]
They were concerned about their home. I, I just think our future is in very, very safe and capable hands.
[Music plays and the image changes to show a white screen, and the NSW Government and the SIEF logos and text appears: Generation STEM is managed by CSIRO and made possible by an endowment from the NSW Government to the Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF)]
[Image changes to show new text: www.csiro.au/generationstem]
[Image changes to show the CSIRO logo and text appears: CSIRO, Australia’s innovation catalyst]
Generation STEM programs
The power of seeing STEM outside the classroom
In late 2022, Year 9 and 10 students from 51 high schools across Western Sydney and the Central Coast presented the solutions of their inquiry-based research projects at the STEM Community Partnerships Program (STEM CPP) end-of-year showcases.
Read our blog to find out more.
[Image changes to show Ruth Carr talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show students at work in a classroom, and text appears: Ruth Carr, CSIRO Director of Education and Outreach]
Ruth Carr: The future is about nurturing the next generation of problem solvers and innovators and that’s what Generation STEM is all about.
[Images move through of students and a mentor in conversation around a computer in a library, students working with a robotic vehicle, and students working with a 3D printer]
Programmes like STEM Community Partnerships Programme enables students to see industry and STEM in real life and that’s what makes it real and makes it exciting.
[Images flash through of various views of students at the End of Year Showcase event, students displaying their models, and talking to visitors, and talking together]
Tania Sarafian: The End of Year Showcase is a fantastic opportunity for the students to share what they’ve learnt through the STEM Community Partnerships Programme.
[Image changes to show Tania Sarafian talking to the camera, and text appears: Tania Sarafian, CSIRO Programme Delivery Manager]
It’s an opportunity for celebration.
[Images move through of students displaying their projects, a close view of some of the projects, a team standing behind their project, and a view of projects on the tables]
It’s an opportunity to show what they’ve been working on throughout the year and how they’ve been able to develop solutions as teams and being future focussed.
[Image changes to show Stephanie talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show projects on the tables again, and text appears: Stephanie, All Saints Catholic College]
Stephanie: The End of Year Showcase has been really exciting. You can definitely see how hard everybody’s worked.
[Image changes to show Amira talking to the camera, and then images move through of Amira explaining her project which is displayed on a computer screen, and text appears: Amira, East Hills Girls Technology High School]
Amira: I feel that like really helped me build my skills in like analytical thinking, creative thinking, and like it really helped me improve my relationship with my teammates and my creativity skills.
[Image changes to show Tanjee talking to the camera, and text appears: Tanjee, East Hills Girls Technology High School]
Tanjee: STEM is very important to me because it allows my creativity and imagination to expand.
[Images move through to show a student placing an item into a BB-Bot model on a table, the team standing behind the project, and a close view of the BB-Bot in operation]
It gives me so many more insights into the future.
[Image changes to show Craig Apted talking to the camera, and text appears: Craig Apted, La Salle Catholic College Bankstown, Science Teacher]
Craig Apted: The Showcase has really, really topped off the year.
[Images flash through of students displaying a hybrid bus project model, the hybrid bus on a computer screen, and students looking at projects at the event]
They’ve been so proud and they really get to show all their efforts, what they’ve done, and what they’ve collaborated on.
[Image changes to show David Wright talking to the camera, and text appears: David Wright, Managing Director, Aqua Ventures]
David Wright: STEM is about the people of tomorrow.
[Images move through of a model bus moving around a model airport, views of a female in conversation with a group of students, and then two students at work in a classroom]
So, it’s about those people today who’ve got to be able to get skills to do the things that are really going to matter in the future, to solve problems that they don’t know about today. Today they’re learning and one way of learning is to get exposed to STEM.
[Images move through of a 3D printer in operation, two students working with the printer, and a rear view, facing and then side view of a student walking along a verandah at the school]
Craig Apted: It’s been an amazing year with the STEM Community Partnerships Programme. The students get to look at problematic knowledge, they look at local problems, and develop local solutions.
[Images move through of students working, and then the image changes to show Craig talking to the camera]
It’s opened their eyes really to opportunities. And to see what the opportunities are is what drives students and motivates them in their selection of different subjects and career choices.
[Music plays, and the image changes to show the SIEF and NSW Government logos, and text appears: Generation STEM is managed by CSIRO and made possible through the NSW Government’s $25 million endowment to the Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF)]
[New text appears: www.csiro.au/generationstem]
[Image changes to show the CSIRO logo on a white screen, and text appears: CSIRO, Australia’s National Science Agency]