Key points
- Our Deadly in Generation STEM program bridges the gap between Indigenous Knowledges and local STEM opportunities through connection with community partners, Knowledge Holders, camp ambassadors and local emerging Aboriginal STEM professionals.
- We are working to attract a diverse, knowledgeable talent in the growing pipeline of STEM jobs in regional areas.
- Students are building connections with local Aboriginal Knowledge Holders, reporting increased well-being and improved awareness and interest in STEM and culture.
This year we were excited to facilitate two Deadly in Generation STEM camps on Kamilaroi Country (Moree-Narrabri) and Dharawal Country (Illawarra-Shoalhaven) regions.
Our Deadly in Generation STEM program strives to increase the engagement and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in STEM educational pathways and employment through connection to their local community, culture and Country.
Collectively, the camps engaged 26 Aboriginal high school students, expanding their understanding of Indigenous STEM Knowledges and providing insights into STEM career opportunities and pathways.
From astronomy to agriculture, students connected with Knowledge Holders, camp leaders, ambassadors, and industry mentors, gaining diverse perspectives and insights.
Camp Leader, Martin Jnr White, from Petaurus Education Group Inc., emphasised the program’s importance in bringing focus back to the cultural side of STEM while opening the students‘ eyes to opportunities.
“The program shows our kids that there are pathways in STEM, not just a person in a white coat. It can be field work, data collection, observation, working on Country, monitoring animals, flora, fauna – all the fun stuff,” Martin Jnr said.
Connecting Traditional Knowledges with modern science
We carefully curated the camps around the theme Caring for Country. Focus areas included the environment, identity, community, roles and responsibility and STEM through storytelling.
Students from both camps enjoyed a packed schedule of activities catering to a variety of interests including learning about Indigenous astronomy, boomerangs, coding drones for Koala conservation, and exploring the chemistry of dyes in traditional weaving.
Students also ventured outdoors for ecological cultural walks, marine biology scavenger hunts, and bush rejuvenation projects, planting approximately 200 native trees alongside the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council rangers.
An integral part of the camp happened back on campgrounds where students connected through art, games, dance, song, and storytelling making space to celebrate cultural pride and identity.
Camp Knowledge Holder, Aunty Di Hall from the Plant Breeding Institute, University of Sydney Narrabri Campus, shared her work in agriculture, incorporating the Traditional Knowledges of native grains into contemporary practices.
She highlighted the importance of these initiatives and the progress we’ve made in connecting Traditional Knowledges with modern science.
”Indigenous Knowledges are all sciences: astronomy, medicines, plant medicines, gut health. It’s all there it’s just how we bring it together. As an older person now in this space, it’s important to encourage these young kids coming through,” Aunty Di said.
“One of the best parts of the job is extending the knowledges, working with scientists, and then bringing those knowledges back into the community.”
When asked about the potential impact on students, Aunty Di said:
“Hopefully, through these camps, we can encourage and guide the students further along their career paths. It’s really crucial these kinds of things take place.”
Creating a STEM learning legacy
We are working to attract a diverse, knowledgeable talent in the growing pipeline of STEM jobs in regional areas.
Our Deadly in Generation STEM camps assist to bridge the gap between Indigenous Knowledges and local STEM opportunities through connection with community partners, Knowledge Holders, camp ambassadors and local emerging Aboriginal STEM professionals.
Students are building connections with local Aboriginal Knowledge Holders, reporting increased well-being, improved awareness and greater interest in STEM and culture.
Generation STEM Program Manager, Kirsty O’Sullivan highlighted the goal of the program.
"Deadly in Generation STEM hopes to attract, support and retain more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in STEM pathways," Kirsty said.
The program also supports continued connection to culture on Country to highlight the importance of Indigenous Knowledges and how they integrate with modern STEM Education. This creates a sense of pride in culture and importance of history and Country".
This work is extended to the Deadly in Generation STEM Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) initiative. This free, two-year program, combines workshops, webinars, and reflection sessions.
The TPL aims to inspire and support teachers in embedding local Indigenous Knowledges into the science curriculum in partnership with local community, enhancing student engagement and achievement in STEM subjects.
The program is currently seeking applications from schools K-12 within the Illawarra/Shoalhaven and Moree/Narrabri regions.
The Deadly in Generation program is a part of Generation STEM, a 10-year initiative to build a strong and more diverse STEM pipeline in NSW. Managed by CSIRO, the program is made possible by the NSW Government’s $25 million endowment to the Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF).