Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was in this place only last week talking about the importance of STEM education by talking about my attendance at a recent event with QUESTACON at RAAF Edinburgh. I want to take some time this week to talk about another great initiative for STEM education, which is also happening in my electorate of Spence.

During the past two school holidays, the Zonta Club of Gawler has conducted the Gawler Techno Girls school holiday program aimed at girls aged seven to 11 to learn about robotics, programming and problem-solving. These skills are essential to moulding young minds to a future career in a STEM field. Despite this being a fun and educational way for someone to spend their school holidays, the reason behind a program like this is justified when you look closely at the numbers. According to the ABS, out of design, engineering, science and transport professionals in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, only 22.3 per cent are female.

This is coupled with the STEM Equity Monitor published last year by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, showing that girls' confidence in STEM subjects is generally lower than boys, and the number falls with age. According to that same report, women make up only 36 per cent of enrolments in STEM university courses and 16 per cent in vocational STEM placements.

We can tackle this issue at a macro level, but I am pleased to see a strong and capable woman like Georgia McRae doing her part to even the numbers with initiatives like Techno Girls. Well done!