The Illawarra Deadly in Generation STEM Camp will take place over four days, from October 15-18, with a select group of 20 Aboriginal students from high schools in the Illawarra.
Each day, participants will engage in STEM activities delivered On-Country by Cultural Knowledge Holders, local STEM Professionals and mentors, exploring cultural knowledge connections and links to local STEM pathways. Every day will be different, building upon the learnings from previous activities.
Grounded in STEM themes connected to ‘Caring for Country’, activities will take place at various cultural sites of significance and local STEM industry and research hubs. These include:
- Cultural Ecological Walk – Traditional medicines and tools
- Boomerangs to Drones – Navigation and Coding
- Aboriginal Astronomy and Sky Stories
- Conservation and Bush Regeneration
- Sustainable Materials and Design
Students will get the chance to:
- Learn about traditional STEM knowledges
- Develop STEM skills
- Connect with Community Elders, Knowledge-Holders and Organisations
- Visit cultural sites of significance
- Visit local STEM research centres
- Meet Aboriginal STEM professionals
"This [program] has opened up his [son] mind and he's moved to the top 10."
"Being able to connect with Elders really makes them feel part of the community and loved."
— Parents reflect on their children's participation in Deadly in Generation STEM
Mentors: Be a role model for local youth
As a Deadly in Generation STEM Mentor, you will act as a role model for Illawarra youth, inspiring students by sharing experiences from your own cultural, community, education and career pathways.
You will also support student participants in STEM activities and engagement across the duration of the program.
Next steps: If you're interested, please reach out to GenerationSTEM@csiro.au by Friday 30 June 2023
Schools: Nominate students to take part
The Generation STEM Camp is designed for student participants who will benefit from strengthening their cultural capacity and expanding their knowledge of STEM by immersing themselves in culturally contextualised STEM education on Country.
Schools are invited to nominate a total of 2 students (1 female and 1 male) that meet the following selection criteria:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student
- Currently in Year 8 or 9
- Students that could benefit from the program include Aboriginal students who:
- are disengaged with learning in school
- have high potential that can be fostered with connection to Culture
- are likely to welcome opportunities to meet and greet local Aboriginal STEM professionals
- have the capacity to problem solve, use creativity and critical thinking skills in their learning
- engage in learning about STEM knowledges through local and cultural contexts
- students who may have an interest in STEM and STEM career pathways, but not essential.
Nomination Process
To nominate suitable students please email GenerationSTEM@csiro.au with your student’s name, year level and a short paragraph on what makes them a good candidate by Monday 31 July.
Please ensure the student’s personal information is only provided with the student and parent’s consent.
Nominations will be reviewed by a selection panel with teachers notified on the outcomes by Monday 14 August. Supporting documents including a program overview and parental consent forms will be sent out to teachers to follow up with students upon successful nomination.
We are committed to child safety and to the implementation of Child Safe principles and procedures.