Quantum Girls, a pioneering initiative dedicated to promoting women in STEM, has announced the launch of 12 new Quantum Explorers STEM clubs along with a children’s book Powers of the Universe, designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.
“We’re thrilled to launch the Quantum Girls STEM clubs and unveil our new children's book Powers of the Universe, which is written by three members of Einstein First and promises to ignite curiosity and exploration among young minds.”
Emeritus Professor David Blair, UWA
Quantum Girls is a collaboration between The University of Western Australia’s quantum computing centre directed by Professor Jingbo Wang and the Einstein-First Project directed by Emeritus Professor David Blair, from UWA’s School of Physics, Mathematics and Computing.
“Supported by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the activity book is designed to give children an appreciation of the vast scale of the universe,” Professor Blair said.
“The STEM Clubs are especially designed to provide teachers with engaging activities to inspire their kids in single sessions on a range of fascinating science topics.
“While especially designed to attract girls, boys will enjoy the topics too; teachers simply download a simple pack of narrated PowerPoints, videos and lesson plans and pick the material that appeals.
“No prior knowledge is needed so the lessons can be run by anyone and teachers or parents can learn with the kids.”
Professor Blair said the clubs were designed to address a skills shortage and gender imbalance in STEM that lead to many women missing out on the opportunity to participate in some of the most innovative and exciting jobs of the future.
“Quantum Girls expands on the success of UWA’s Einstein-First Project which aimed to redesign, evaluate and optimise school science across all education levels to reflect the modern understanding of space, time, matter and the universe,” Professor Blair said.
Image: Co-authors of the new book (left to right) Stefanie Palladino, Emeritus Professor David Blair and Anastasia Popkova..
“We’re thrilled to launch the Quantum Girls STEM clubs and unveil our new children's book Powers of the Universe, which is written by three members of Einstein First and promises to ignite curiosity and exploration among young minds.”
Co-authors of the book with Professor Blair, Anastasia Popkova and Stefanie Palladino, said by providing entertaining activities and resources, the aim was to empower students to embrace STEM subjects and unleash their full potential.
A special event to launch the new clubs and book will be held on 25 June at Engineers Australia in Perth featuring keynote speakers Emeritus Professor Lyn Beazley, former Chief Scientist for WA, and Associate Professor Parwinder Kaur, alongside WA Ministers The Hon Dr Tony Buti and The Hon Stephen Dawson.
For full details and to register for the event, see here.