In partnership with the STEM Girls Academy 2024 MOD. will be exhibiting a selection of creative challenge projects completed by South Australian students through a series of Design Thinking workshops.

Australian female students are only half as likely as their male counterparts to aspire to a career in STEM, highlighting a critical gender gap that must be addressed to build a more inclusive and innovative future. Encouraging creativity is emerging as a potential solution to counteract negative attitudes towards STEM, helping girls build the confidence needed to challenge stereotypes in these fields.

UniSA is tackling this challenge through its STEM Girls Academy outreach program, which engaged over 100 students from 20 schools across the Adelaide, the Limestone Coast and the Spencer Gulf regions in 2024.  In partnership with industry experts, we introduced real-world problems into the classroom, focusing on the altruistic aspects of STEM to make it more meaningful and relatable for female students.

Students from different schools and year levels collaborated in mixed groups, developing creative solutions to these challenges using Design Thinking, a flexible and innovative approach to problem-solving. Through a series of Design Thinking workshops, students not only enhanced their critical and creative thinking skills but also boosted their creative confidence, which is crucial for transforming their potential into tangible creative performance within STEM.

This exhibition showcases some of the work produced by these students, highlighting their STEM-driven creativity and aiming to extend their innovative thinking beyond the classroom. By creating platforms that build capabilities and raise the voices of young females in STEM, we are fostering a more inclusive environment in these fields.