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Issue 11: February 2025

Welcome! School is back and we're excited to work with you on our mission to inspire young minds and foster a love for STEM across Australia. Whether you are interested in our curriculum-aligned programs, professional development opportunities, educational resources, or one of our engaging events, we look forward to connecting with you!

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Join our STEM INSIGHTS Capability Enhancer Project. Applications close 23 February

Are you ready to make a real impact in STEM education? Our STEM-INSIGHTS Capability Enhancer project empowers STEM education providers to better generate, analyse and use evidence to drive greater student engagement and learning outcomes. Through a flexible, co-designed approach, we help organisations identify barriers, enhance evaluation skills, and develop tools for evidence-based decision-making. We’re looking for passionate organisations to join us on the journey. Find out more and apply.
STEM Together

Nominate a Young Future Shaper!

We're seeking nominations for Year 5-10 students from underrepresented groups in STEM to become Young Future Shapers. 25 Future Shapers will boost their confidence, skills, and connection with STEM through a personalised support program. They’ll explore their area of interest (and others); meet experts and likeminded young people at STEM events and camps; or discover more with their own prize pack.

Nominate now

Calling Victorian biomedical industry professionals: Become a UROP Sponsor or Supervisor

Student working in a lab with a microscope

The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) bridges the gap between university education and real biomedical research. 

Recruiting and training the next generation of scientists takes time – that’s where UROP can help. UROP provides the platform for you to find the right candidate for your current and future research needs. The program’s paid internship scheme aims to inspire, train and retain undergraduate students to become the field’s future skilled workforce.

Applications are now open to become a UROP Victorian-based supervisor in 2025. Alternatively, any organisation can become a sponsor of the program, regardless of location. Visit the website for more information about this rewarding program, or direct inquiries to urop@csiro.au

Equip your students with the skills to tackle local, national or global challenges with CREST

Stylised battery in a circle.

Connecting learning to real-world applications makes lessons more relatable and engaging. CSIRO's CREST (Creativity in Research, Engineering, Science and Technology) program offers teachers options to structure an Inquiry Based Learning activity for students, to guide students through a ready-made inquiry activity, or to facilitate their interests and exploration in a fully open inquiry.

In collaboration with CSIRO research scientists, our team have developed a new series of introductory inquiry activities highlighting the real-world challenges of energy storage. The hands-on activities include detailed instructions, risk assessment, student recording sheets, and a list of items needed for a seamless setup. Apply to CREST to access these resources today.

STEM Professionals in Schools

Congratulations Dr Katrina Wruck!

Congratulations to Dr Katrina Wruck, the 2025 Young Australian of the Year! We’re proud to boast Katrina as a volunteer in our STEM Professionals in Schools program. Through the program, Katrina has mentored students at Tagai State College in the Torres Strait Islands, sharing her career journey and showing how cultural knowledge and STEM can create real-world impact. Her efforts empower Indigenous youth to dream big and pursue STEM careers.

Read more