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Year 12 students Lana Pavy and Janine Southwell have a passion for Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM), and together they are on a mission to encourage their peers to join them.

STEM subjects empower students with the knowledge, skills and mindset they need to succeed in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. 

Traditionally, however, STEM subjects have been favoured by boys, with humanitarian subjects more typically the domain of female students. Janine and Lana are seeking to understand why and to help encourage other girls at ÁñÁ«ÉçÇø to fall in love with these subjects.

To kick-start their journey, they teamed together to host ÁñÁ«ÉçÇø’s inaugural Girls in STEM breakfast. Students from Year 3 to Year 12 heard the results of a student survey led by Lana and Janine to gauge the current sentiments around studying STEM. They also held a fascinating interview with Maths teacher, Mrs Riley and a talk from alumna Ailbhe Doyle who is studying a Bachelor of Information Technology at UTS as part of the co-op scholarship program. 

We interviewed Lana and Janine to talk all things STEM. 

Do you have any role models in STEM? If so, who are they and why do they inspire you?

Lana: My Year 9 Science teacher, Mrs Pope-Moore, was the first female in STEM that inspired and supported me to discover my passion. I remember her telling stories about her own experiences learning Biology and Physics at school and university, ensuring all the girls in her classes knew and believed that STEM is for everyone with the right passion and dedication. She constantly supported me in my own learning and made sure I held onto the passion.

Janine: The greatest role models in STEM for me, have always been the STEM teachers who teach with such passion that I too become passionate about the topic. Ms Riley has inspired my love for maths, has been a strong female advocate for girls in STEM and has largely shaped the passions and interests of my life.

What do you think are the biggest barriers for girls pursuing careers in STEM fields?

Lana: I think there is a stigma established when girls are growing up through primary school and think that boys are naturally better at STEM subjects. This belief continues to grow through teenage years where girls may doubt their abilities and become self-conscious of things they find difficult, so lose motivation to pursue STEM subjects. 

This stigma is created by a variety of factors, but I think at the centre it is derived from young girls not having strong female role models to look up to in STEM subjects. I think it's important that girls get to see older women in STEM and witness the opportunities and passion that there is in these fields. Without seeing women challenge the stigma against females in STEM, young girls will struggle with challenging it themselves.

Janine: I believe the biggest barriers for girls pursuing STEM careers is the lack of visible female role models and the constant narrative that boys are better than girls in STEM subjects. These ideas are detrimental to girls as they move through primary school and high school, constantly feeling as if they cannot realistically pursue a career in STEM.

Can you share a memorable moment or achievement in your STEM journey so far?

Lana: When I was in Year 9, I topped Year 10 Mathematics as an accelerate. This wasn't only fulfilling as a reflection of my hard work, but also fulfilling because it proved to me that a girl is more than capable to be high achieving in STEM subjects when given the opportunity and required support.

Janine: Participation in my primary school STEM club where every week we would meet and explore a different STEM challenge. I remember being challenged to grow a crystal, code robots, build towers, investigate Pasal's Triangle. These experiences shaped my curiosity and excitement for STEM subjects.

How do you hope the legacy of what you’ve started at ÁñÁ«ÉçÇø will continue?

Lana: I think it's important that girls get to see other girls succeed in all areas of life at ÁñÁ«ÉçÇø. Younger girls get to witness older ones in sport, dance, drama, art displays and music, but there isn't much opportunity to celebrate students in STEM related subjects. By spotlighting current ÁñÁ«ÉçÇø students, past alumni and staff that are passionate about STEM, younger girls can be inspired and encouraged to look up to these women as role models. I would also love the surveys that Janine and I conducted this year to be continuously repeated every five years or so, to see if there has been a shift in the culture and if there are key areas of focus that need to be improved as time goes on. 

Janine: I hope that ÁñÁ«ÉçÇø continues to recognise the importance and achievement of girls in STEM, creating an environment which enables girls to succeed and pursue their passions. I hope that students, staff, and parents will continue to create a culture of empowerment and encouragement facilitating girls interest in STEM and helping them pursue careers in these areas.