Students blossom through STEM program
A NEW Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program will expand the global learning initiatives that are setting new directions in girls’ education at St Hilda’s School.
Head of school Peter Crawley said St Hilda’s had developed a focused, high-end academic program with strong links to universities to benefit students and staff.
“The St Hilda’s STEM Institute will enable students to gain university credit for subjects completed on the St Hilda’s campus and offer avenues for communication with others studying STEM coursework within the global community, via conferences and attendance at a prestigious international summer school,” Mr Crawley said.
The Girls in Engineering Conference, the first major event of the STEM Institute to be held on June 17, will be held in partnership with Griffith University Gold Coast. Registrations will be open to girls from other schools in Years 10 to 12 who are interested in engineering. A key component of the STEM Institute is the unique relationship established between St Hilda’s and one the most innovative girls’ colleges in the US, Smith College in Massachusetts.
“Smith College has offered a number of places for our girls to participate in their Science and Engineering Summer School, exposing our students to international engineering which will be invaluable to their development,’’ Mr Crawley said.
The Smith Summer Science and Engineering Program is a four-week residential program for young women with strong interests in science, engineering and medicine. This year, more than 50 St Hilda’s girls will travel to 10 countries to attend leading girls’ and coeducational schools. The St Hilda’s Learning Institute, featuring 90 courses created by staff and published on iTunesU, receives 10,000 hits a day.