Curious Minds is a hands-on extension and mentoring program which strives to ignite girls’ passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The program combines two camps, held in December (summer camp) and July (winter camp), with a six-month STEM coaching program for female students in year 9 and year 10.
During summer and winter camps, students take a deep dive into STEM subjects, including biology, chemistry, digital technology, engineering, Earth and environmental science, maths, and physics, and explore their interconnectedness through a series of integrated STEM workshops and activities. Through the Connect Program, students also participate in communication and STEM workshops, university discussions, Olympiad problem solving tutorials and social activities.
The STEM coaching program sees each student partnered with a volunteer female STEM coach, selected across a range of STEM fields. In partnership, students and STEM coaches work to construct, action and report personal goals. Students also undertake a student-focused STEM project with guidance and support from their coach. Students share the results of their project during the winter camp as a 3-minute presentation in front of their peers.
Curious Minds is an initiative of the Department of Education and is jointly delivered by The Australian Maths Trust and Australian Science Innovations.