The program supports continued connection to culture on Country, and the local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community. This is done by working with community to embed Indigenous knowledges in STEM-based programs.
Deadly in Generation STEM incorporates elements from several existing and proven education programs, including CSIRO’s Indigenous STEM Education Project (ISEP), Aboriginal Summer School for Excellence in technology and Science (ASSETS), Inquiry for Indigenous Science Students (I²S²) and Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy (YIWSA).
Deadly in Generation STEM Experience: Dharawal Country (Illawarra) and Kamilaroi Country (Moree)
The experience – available in Illawarra and Moree – engages a group of 20-30 local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in an interconnected four-day program delivered either via a camp or immersion days.
Students will engage in STEM activities delivered on Country and connect with Traditional Owners, Elders, Indigenous community members and STEM professionals.
Through this experience, students will:
- Learn about Indigenous STEM knowledges
- Strengthen understanding of sustainable systems and futures
- Develop STEM skills
- Connect with community Elders and Knowledge-Holders
- Visit cultural sites of significance
- Visit local STEM research centres
- Meet STEM professionals
Inquiry for Indigenous Science Students (I²S²)
The Inquiry for Indigenous Science Students (I²S²) program targets Years 5-9 to show teachers and students how Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples created, developed, and used high-level STEM inquiry skills for over 65,000 years.
I²S² provides teachers with professional learning to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge through hands-on inquiry-based projects, increasing student engagement and achievement in STEM.
The program also offers students the opportunity to develop STEM inquiry skills through a traditional context and strengthen relationships with community, industry and broader STEM networks.
Through participation and completion of I²S², educators will gain the knowledge, practices and resources required to implement the I²S² inquiries in their classroom.
The I²S² resources are based on the Indigenous STEM Education Project supported by the BHP Foundation.
For further information about the I²S² program, visit Inquiry for Indigenous Science Students.
Illawarra 2023 Expressions of Interest now open
Limited places are available for high schools in the Illawarra area for 2023. To find out more or register your interest, please contact generationSTEM@csiro.au.
Connect In: Kamilaroi Country (Moree)
CSIRO has collaborated with the Moree Sports Health Arts and Education Academy (SHAE Academy) to deliver the program in Moree. The SHAE Academy hosts and facilitates Connect In afternoons as an additional connection point with Immersion Day participants.
Connect In offers one-to-one mentoring to nurture and boost community connections and peer support, build new local relations with the STEM industry, strengthen cultural community links, foster leadership and confidence and expose youth to STEM opportunities.