Our Deadly in Generation STEM camps have expanded to Kamilaroi Country with key themes of identity, environment, connection and the future a focus at this years camp. This extension shows an appetite for the program and the impact considered curation can have on participants.
But what does a Deadly in Generation STEM camp look like exactly? We get a sneak peek into the highlights through five deadly images.
1. Connection with peers
Immediately student participants and camp leaders join together, engage with their surroundings and set intentions for the camp. They meet with other year 8 -10 Indigenous students from around the region. Participants are encouraged to connect and build new friendships and mutual respect through hands-on STEM activities.
In this picture you can see students coming together to build native bee hotels using sand and water—an activity led by camp leader, Martin Jnr. The activity blends science with cultural responsibility. As they collaborate, they explore biodiversity and deepen their understanding of caring for Country, forming lasting connections through shared purpose and hands-on learning.
2. Connection with Country
Students stepped out of the classroom and onto Country by staying at camp. Through excursions, they connected directly with practical and cultural knowledge, including ecological walks, weaving, constructing fish habitats, and visiting the Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre. Camp leaders provided opportunities for learning and reflection throughout these experiences.
In this photo, students are participating in the Sculptures in the Scrub activity. They immersed themselves in Country through guided bushwalks that highlighted powerful local Aboriginal knowledge and artistic contributions. Working in teams, they took part in a nature scavenger hunt, using all their senses to spot flowers, seeds, track animals, and feel shifts in the environment. As they explored, they also discovered how artists use sculpture to share cultural narratives, deepening their connection to both the land and each other.
3. Connection with STEM
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples were Australia's first scientists. Students explore the connection of traditional science with modern day STEM through experiences such as Sky Stories - cultural astronomy and storytelling, the math of traditional dance and insights into water management and biodiversity. Students are taught about the valuable contributions and the relevance Indigenous Peoples have had to STEM.
In this picture students are learning about boomerang physics and testing their throws with camp leader Zac. Students took part in a meaningful choosing ceremony where the youngest selected a boomerang for the eldest continuing until everyone had one. The message: it’s not what you’re given, but how you make it yours. Students then painted their boomerangs, using art and storytelling to express identity, culture, and connection to Country.
4. Connection with camp leaders
The camp leaders are passionate Indigenous professionals who work in a variety of STEM fields from engineers to research assistants and horticulturists. Hearing from these mentors first hand through a mix of presentations, facilitation of activities and organic conversations helps to build trust and understanding and ensures students are provided insights about potential study and employment pathways.
In this picture, students and camp leaders Zac and Alyssa use iNaturalist, to identify plants found on their bushwalk, contributing to citizen science while connecting with Country through sensory exploration and teamwork.
5. Connection with community
One of the most powerful legacies of the Deadly in Generation STEM Camp is the way it brings community into the heart of the experience. By inviting local knowledge holders to lead cultural activities, students are given the chance to learn from Elders and community leaders in a hands-on, respectful way. This connection fosters multigenerational learning and a deep sense of belonging, strengthening relationships between students, community and Country.
In this picture, students learn from Aunty Kerrie Saunders about traditional food and fibre, gaining insights into sustainable practices and cultural knowledge deeply rooted in Country.
The camps are continuing to make an impact with key outcomes emerging regarding their success. Participants have reported the importance of learning on Country to strengthen identity and foster personal growth and the deep value they saw in learning from Elders and Knowledge Holders to gain insights that went beyond the classroom.
“It’s good for kids to get these opportunities on Country, I think kids get a lot out of it. I think they will gain confidence and skills they can take home and open their eyes to different opportunities. These kids can make a deadly impact on the community on themselves and their families." Clinton Lamb Knowledge Holder.
To learn more about Deadly in Generation STEM visit the program webpage.
Learn more about program benefits and outcomes
Read the 2024 Insight Evaluation Report Highlights PDF (363 KB)
2024 Insight Evaluation Report Highlights - accessible text TXT (3 KB)
Deadly in Generation STEM
Deadly in Generation STEM is managed by CSIRO and made possible by the NSW Government’s $25 million endowment to the Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF).