Girls challenge stereotypes

Stuartholme School is challenging the stereotype that boys are better suited to maths and science, with a program designed to develop the skills of girls in the STEAM areas of science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.
The STEAM or STEM acronym is used to describe the curriculum choices of a school with the aim of improving competitiveness in science and technology development and especially promoting these subjects for young women.
Over the Easter school holidays, Stuartholme, in conjunction with Clearing Skies, ran the first of two STEAM Residential Programs for 2016. Gifted girls currently in Years 5 and 6 came to Stuartholme from all over Queensland to take part in the three-day Residential Program.
Principal of Stuartholme School, Kristen Sharpe, said the Residential aims to offer high ability students an intensive program of learning in the STEAM areas.
“Gifted and like-minded girls have an opportunity to learn innovative and challenging concepts.
“As an educator of girls, we know how important it is to develop their knowledge and skills in the STEAM areas. The reality is within the next 15 years, many jobs will not exist, and they will be replaced with career options that require a high degree of STEAM thinking and problem solving skills.
“STEAM is already part of our everyday lives. It drives innovation and allows us to prosper. The key is to ensure science, technology and maths are not disconnected from innovation and creativity,” said Kristen.
Over the three days, students took part in a number of workshops depending on their particular strength or interest. In the technology workshops, girls looked at coding and learnt how to design, construct and program various projects.
In engineering, students looked at how machines work and the actions of force and motion through gears, levers, wheels and pulleys. They then tested some variables in what makes cars go fast or slow.
“The workshops are all hands-on which allows the girls to be immersed in their learning,” explained Kristen.
The STEAM program is an extension of Stuartholme’s educational philosophy which is designed to extend and enrich every student so she can be the best she can be.
“We are proud our graduates are successfully pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics,” Kristen said.
For more information on the STEAM Residential Program go to www. stuartholme.com and search STEAM.