Two of our Engineering students recently joined a diverse team on a tour of the Greater Southern region with a mission to inspire regional high school students to consider studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Over the course of a week, students Bernise Roeslofe and Sie-Anne Waisime joined representatives from UWA’s Albany campus, Girls in Engineering (GiE) outreach team, Children’s University and Rio Tinto, to deliver hands-on workshops and promote STEM career pathways and study to regional students.
Engineering student ambassadors
Bernise and Sie-Anne were selected to represent UWA as part of the GiE Student Ambassador program.
The team met with almost 400 students from Mt Baker Community College, Denmark Senior High School, Albany Senior High School and North Albany Senior High School.
Albany Senior High School students also took part in a STEM career panel discussion featuring the GiE team, Dr Weibke Ebeling from the Marine Energy Research Australia (MERA) and Albany PhD candidate Thobani Hlophe, who were able to connect students to the exciting Ocean Engineering opportunities available in the Greater Southern.
While on tour, Bernsie and Sie-Anne were able to enhance their own engineering studies with tours of the UWA Albany campus facilities, MERA centre and wind farm.
On the final day, they were joined by Rio Tinto Production Engineering, Sarah Jacqueline Cournoyea, based in Rio Tinto’s Greater Nammuldi Operations.
Bernsie reflects positively on her role as an ambassador.
I loved being able to engage with the community and the students that live there. It opened my eyes to different perspectives, and it was some of the most rewarding work I have done. Bernise Roeslofe
Sie-Anne says she enjoyed sharing her own experiences about studying engineering.
I hope this, coupled with our engaging workshops, helped to break down misconceptions about the field of Engineering and also encouraged the students to pursue it in the future. Sie-Anne Waisime
Thinking about Engineering or STEM?
If the outreach activities of our students sparks your interest, you should explore your options to study Engineering at UWA.
Girls in Engineering UWA
The UWA Girls in Engineering outreach program inspires female students to take advantage of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) study and the career pathways available in this area. Along with foundational partner Rio Tinto, Girls in Engineering recognises the need to address gender imbalance in STEM fields at an early age. Under the Girls in Engineering Student Ambassador program, current UWA students volunteer their time as role models and mentors for in-school and on-campus events to showcase diverse STEM careers and pathways. For more information on joining the GiE Student Ambassador program contact [email protected].
Children’s University UWA
Children’s University fosters a love of learning and aspirations for lifelong learning, particularly for communities underrepresented at university. The Children’s University Western Australia Partnership between UWA, Edith Cowan University and Children’s University Australasia delivers the program in Albany, Peel and Perth.
