WISE:
Women In STEM & Entrepreneurship
Unlocking the potential of female youth
in geospatial and space careers
Expressions of interest are still open
Secondary schools in VIC, QLD & NSW with an ICSEA score of 1100 and below can still express their interest to be part of this unparalleled opportunity.
A Launchpad for Women in STEM
She Maps’ latest engagement initiative “A Launchpad for Women: Promoting Geospatial and Space Careers to Female Youth”, which was developed under the WISE (Women In Science and Entrepreneurship) program, promotes geospatial and space careers to female youth at schools in low socio-economic areas of Australia. Thanks to the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science & Resources, and a partnership with Surf Lifesaving NSW, Girl Guides Victoria, FrontierSI, RMIT University, In2Science – LaTrobe University, the Geography Teachers’ Association of Victoria and James Cook University, She Maps will deliver an industry and curriculum aligned geospatial program targeting female students in schools that are below the median on the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA), as set by ACARA.
Our launchpad explained by She Maps Project Lead Kerri Harridge
What does the program look like?
The long-term aim of our WISE program is to provide school leavers with an understanding of and exposure to the opportunities provided by the wider space and geospatial industry, the foundational skills required to undertake further study and enter the industry, and an identification with the industry that ‘this industry is where I want to be’.
She Maps will be selecting 24 schools from VIC, QLD and NSW– 8 from each state – for the 2-year program. If accepted, between semester 2, 2023 and semester 1, 2025 each school will receive:
- 4 x 2.5 hour face-to-face Classroom Drone Essentials Incursions for up to 30 female youth per session (one in 2023, two in 2024 and one in 2025)
- Support, professional development and resources for teachers to build geospatial capability through She Maps Membership access and industry connections
- Opportunity to apply for participation and travel subsidy for one of two GeoTech events run at RMIT University by The Geography Teachers’ Association of Victoria. This is a four-day event where female students, teachers and industry professionals meet to understand the global potential of the geospatial industry and collaborate on solving geospatial challenges.
- Information and guidance ("a finger on the pulse") for teachers and students with regard to the geospatial industry and career pathways, provided by FrontierSI and the Geospatial Council of Australia
- Access to In2Science mentors to support student participation in learning, making relevant and real world connections and guide students and teachers in building confidence and capability
- Structured learning opportunities and resources for young women to discover how STEM skills contribute to various aspects of the geospatial ecosystem through the RMIT Space Industry Hub.
- Involvement with James Cook University, the evaluation partner, in determining and measuring the impact of the program
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to participate in this opportunity, we are seeking involvement from secondary schools whose ICSEA score falls below the median of 1100. You can find your school’s ICSEA score on the My School website.
Schools need to also be committed to providing targeted support and opportunities for female students building their confidence, teacher capability and school connection to the geospatial industry and space industry.
Cost
The cost per school is $1660 incl. GST across the duration of the program – from the start of Semester 2, 2023 to the end of Semester 1, 2025. This is a heavily subsidised fee thanks to the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.
Additional remote and regional travel fees apply.
WISE Commitments & Deliverables
- Confidence Zone
Increasing student confidence in the use of STEM skills, prioritising female participation.
- Capability Zone
Increasing teacher and instructor capability to teach relevant and real world connected content that engages learners, ensuring a range of diverse role models and industry professionals in real-world case studies are used in the classroom and community.
- Connection Zone
Building sustainable connections between school aged students to STEM mentors and industry professionals to support career pathway development from school to industry.
Each WISE school is committed to:
- Nominate a senior team member as the primary contact between the school and the She Maps WISE project Education Lead.
- Offer regular contextualised geospatial learning experiences with an established pathway for junior secondary.
- Support student participation in the She Maps WISE project coordinated activities
- Support the release of teacher/s related to the WISE project, to participate in the project’s professional learning activities and related opportunities.
- Work collaboratively with the She Maps WISE project team, partnering for purpose organisations and industry connections to ensure a strong industry focus with structured learning opportunities provided to participating students.
- Encourage and support interested students to participate in opportunities to experience the industry, make connections and develop industry-related skills.
- Encourage and support teachers to participate in opportunities to experience the industry, develop industry-related skills and maintain currency and competence.
- Provide students and parents with access to industry-related information and career advice including post school options for further training and education and direct entry to the labour market.
- Provide details of outcomes and highlights on the benefits the She Maps WISE project has delivered to your school and teachers. This can be done in the way of the event surveys and annual data collections via James Cook University in addition to other methods including school newsletters, social media posts, website and video content.
How do I get involved?
If you meet the above eligibility criteria and want to enable the female students of your school to engage in this a one-of-a-kind opportunity, please complete our WISE Expression of Interest Form by Friday 4th of August. Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 11th of August, 2023.
Our WISE Partners
