HunterWiSE

Announcing the HunterWiSE Outreach 'Outstanding Project' Awards! The first hour of Presentation Night was high-energy, as 39 student teams pitched their STEM solution to industry judges - as well as curious passers by in the Great Hall. It's no easy feat convincing a stranger (even our supportive industry representatives!) of the merit of your idea in only a few minutes. The students rose to the occasion, with feedback from long-time HunterWiSE supporters that the standard of this year's projects was a new level of excellence. We agree. All students deserve to be congratulated for their efforts in the 2024 program. The combination of insight into the issues affecting communities and the application of STEM skills resulted in solutions that could make a genuine difference in a real-world context. Congratulations to the following teams: Students Dana, Jocelyn, Sophia, Lily, and Jasmine from Hunter School of the Performing Arts (supported by Transport for NSW) for ‘Re-Fil,’ a recycling system for 3D printing waste. Students Grace, Georgia, Nehal, Olive, and Hanna from Lambton High School (supported by Bradken) for a multipurpose sports center for low-income schools. And finally, Amber from Singleton High School (supported by stalwart partner Glencore Australia) whose individual project for an RFID-based system to prevent the sale of spoiled food was remarked upon by many people - as was her resilience in pursuing this project and presenting her solution solo. #HunterWiSE #GirlstotheFront

Announcing the HunterWiSE Schools Outreach Program 2024 People’s Choice Awards! Everyone attending Presentation Night is encouraged to vote for their top 3 projects. While students are pitching to industry judges, guests are also assessing the pitches, posters and prototypes. The People's Choice Awards are an indication of the community appeal of the students' innovative solutions. Results are tallied on the night, with the winning teams announced by Sharon Claydon MP. Students from Hunter School of Performing Arts (supported by Transport for NSW): A solution to reduce dolphin by-catch in shark nets. Students from Newcastle High School (supported by Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG)): Transforming textile waste into sustainable public equipment. Students from Toronto High School (supported by University of Newcastle): A DIY sea bin kit to help keep waterways clean. Thank you to all our industry partners for supporting the next generation of STEM leaders and for encouraging these meaningful, community-focused projects. #HunterWiSE #STEMinnovation

HunterWiSE Outreach empowers young women – but Presentation Night also encourages competitive spirt. Student projects are assessed by industry judges, with teams vying for prizes in three categories: Outstanding Poster, People's Choice, and Outstanding Project. We are delighted to announce the Outstanding Poster Winners of HunterWiSE 2024: Newcastle High School (supported by Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG)): Students Bronte, Chelsea, Lily and Josi developed a flippable bench seat and table to provide dry, clean outdoor seating. Gorokan High School (supported by the University of Newcastle): Students Amber, Elizabeth, Olivia, Phoebe and Rebecca designed a swipe-card bathroom system to help reduce vandalism. New to the program in 2024, Toronto High School students (also supported by the University of Newcastle) created ‘The BioBin,’ which automatically separates rubbish from recyclables. Congratulations Isla, Aurora, Ella and Abbey. Congratulations to all the students involved, and thank you to Lee-Anne Sylva from GHD for your words of support. #HunterWiSE #WomenInSTEM

Celebrating the future of STEM! On Tuesday 22 October, HunterWiSE wrapped up its 2024 Schools Outreach Program with a Presentation Night at the University of Newcastle’s Great Hall, where more than 160 Year 8 girls showcased innovative projects addressing community challenges. After ten weeks of hands-on learning with University mentors and engagement with women from STEM industries, students from schools across the region presented 39 solutions to be assessed by judges, with nine standout projects awarded for their creativity and impact. HunterWiSE has reached more than 700 girls since 2017, shaping their perception of STEM as a path to solving real-world issues and rewarding careers. A huge congratulations to all the students, mentors, and teachers involved, and a special thanks to our industry partners who lead the way in supporting women in STEM. #HunterWiSE #STEMcareers #Innovation

Late last month, we were delighted to attend the College of Engineering, Science and Environment’s 2024 Scholars’ Ceremony. The ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate the student recipients, as well as the generosity of community and industry donors. Engineering students Amarah and Chloe were presented as the inaugural recipients of Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group's HunterWiSE Scholarship for Women in STEM. This scholarship is a collaborative effort between HunterWiSE and Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) to support and encourage female students in their second or subsequent year of a STEM degree at the University of Newcastle. A big thank you to Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) for your ongoing partnership, and congratulations to all the scholarship recipients.

We are calling for Expressions of Interest from the HunterWiSE community to judge student projects! Our Outreach Program students have spent 10 weeks developing STEM-based solutions to issues in their communities. On Tuesday 22 October, the students will gather in the University of Newcastle's Great Hall to present their posters and pitch their solutions. The event showcases the ingenuity of our student community, and the potential of these future innovators and change-makers. We need volunteers to judge both the posters (online, prior to the event) and the pitches (in person, on the night). To find out more or register your interest, please visit the link below. https://lnkd.in/gbwSPAjM

In this morning's HunterWiSE event, the audience was asked a thought-provoking question: if you were head of HR for a month, what would you do to close the gender pay gap in your organisation? The answer was clear: a lot. These would-be HR leaders described ambitious plans for their month in the role, with proposed actions including comprehensive pay audits, increased transparency around pay bands, and the creation of mentorship programs to support women's career advancement. Event host Kate Ramsay, author of 'A Hell of a Lot of Glass – Achieving Gender Diversity in the Workplaces of Australia', guided discussions on common misconceptions, unconscious bias, the impacts of strategies such as flexible working arrangements, and above all, the crucial role good leadership and allyship plays in achieving meaningful change. A big thank you the Hunter Water team, Kate Ramsay, and the engaged audience for their enthusiasm and insightful contributions. We’ll be sharing these valuable ideas more broadly soon. #GenderPayGap #HunterWiSE

Tickets are still available for the upcoming HunterWiSE event, 'The Great Divide - Understanding and Addressing the Gender Pay Gap'. Hosted by industry partner Hunter Water and led by author Kate Ramsay, this event will will explore the factors that contribute to the gender pay gap, and actions that are being taken to close the divide. To register or find out more, head to the link below.

You're invited to join us on Thursday 19 September for the HunterWiSE Network event, 'The Great Divide - Understanding and Addressing the Gender Pay Gap'. This event will explore the factors that contribute to the gender pay gap, and actions that are being taken to close the divide. Led by Kate Ramsay, author of 'A Hell of a Lot of Glass – Achieving Gender Diversity in the Workplaces of Australia', the event will provide opportunities to identify strategies applicable across various industries and workplaces. This will be our final Network Event for 2024. Tickets are available via Humantix. We hope to see you there!

HunterWiSE Outreach students recently marked the program's halfway point with visits to industry partners. A key aspect of HunterWiSE is giving girls the opportunity to meet women in STEM, helping them envisage themselves in these careers. Industry partners like GHD play a vital role in connecting students with role models and showcasing how STEM skills make a real impact in their communities.