About the program
30 students will build their confidence, capability and connection with Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) as ‘Young Future Shapers’.
They receive personalised support and can choose to meet like-minded kids and experts at a STEM Camp, bring a group on a learning adventure, or create their own pack of STEM tech or resources. Future Shapers discover new interests and career ideas and participate in confidence-boosting activities.
The program aims to open the door for those that may not have the same access to learning opportunities and resources as others.
We prioritise opportunities for young people from under-represented groups in STEM. These groups include Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, girls, those from lower opportunity or regional areas.
Young Future Shapers is delivered by STEM Together in partnership with BHP Foundation.
Narrator: “What are our Young Future Shapers into?
[Image changes to a girl facing the camera with cartoons drawings of a brain, a conical flask and a lizard near her head]
Future Shaper 1: I like to learn new things.
[Image changes to a boy facing the camera while a cartoon drawing of a bulldozer assembling itself and driving offscreen is shown near his head]
Future Shaper 2: Engineering and building things is my go to in STEM.
[Image changes to another girl with a cartoon rendering of an astronaut helmet on her head. Cartoon planets are in front and behind her]
Future Shaper 3: I also like knowing the fact that there’s always more space to discover.
[Image changes to another girl next to a cartoon tree that seems to glow with bioluminescence].
Future Shaper 4: Genetically modified organisms. I find them fascinating.
[The girl disappears and the words “explore more” appear. The video changes to a fully animated style]
Narrator: Tons of ideas. One goal. Explore more.
[The image changes. A cartoon girl with a jetpack flies off screen]
Narrator: Future Shapers gives young people greater access to STEM opportunities.
[The image changes. Cartoon hands meet in a circle, while the words “confidence, capability, connection” float nearby]
Narrator: They’ll build confidence, capability, and connection with STEM, and learn skills for life. They can also
[The image changes. Three cartoon characters open a door that says “STEM camp” light and glitter shine from inside the door]
Narrator: Meet people like them at a STEM camp
[The image changes. A cartoon character drives a small bulldozer robot, while two more characters look on]
Narrator: Go on a local learning adventure
[The image changes. A cartoon student opens a box with ribbon. A microscope, snorkel and fins fly out of the box]
Narrator: “Or design a custom prize pack”
[The image changes. The website address csiro.au/YoungFutureShapers appears, followed by the CSIRO and BHP Foundation logos.]
Narrator: Nominate a young person in years 5-10 today at csiro.au/YoungFutureShapers
Program eligibility
Young Future Shapers is designed for students in Years 5 to 10 (or those that would be if they were in the school system.) Of course, homeschool students are welcome to apply.
This program aims to open the door for young people who may have limited access to STEM learning opportunities.
Young Future Shapers do not necessarily need to be at the top of the class. We are looking for the curious, for those that build or invent things, or want to make a positive change. If they have a passion, or even a small interest in STEM that we can draw out, then we'd love to hear about them.
We prioritise young people who identify with at least one of the following underrepresented groups in STEM:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
- Girls
- Those from regional areas
- Those from lower opportunity areas.
Immediate family members of CSIRO, BHP or BHP Foundation staff are not eligible to be Young Future Shapers.
Program outcomes
Surveys of Young Future Shapers from 2023 to 2025 showed:
- 100% of them increased their STEM knowledge
- 94% increased their connection to peers to share their STEM interests with
- 91% enhanced their '21st century skills' like problem solving, teamwork and communication
- 93% increased their awareness of STEM subjects and career options
- 84% increased their confidence to work in a STEM-related career.
See what our participants had to say:
“It not only [showed] me STEM areas that I liked, it also [showed] me different STEM areas that I didn't know and never thought of.” – 2023 Young Future Shaper
“…I definitely got better at communicating... I do feel a lot more confident.” – 2024 Young Future Shaper
"My social circle has more than doubled including adults and peers my own age because they have as many interests around STEM as I do!" – 2023 Young Future Shaper
“The extra parts of the program were really good…that confidence building… he probably doesn't realise it, but he has benefited from doing those activities as much as he benefited from the actual science and technology stuff.” – Parent of 2024 Young Future Shaper