“We are looking for the best and the brightest and the most enthusiastic leaders in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and mathematics)"
STEM Students and professionals are invited to enter the 2017 Indigenous STEM Awards, which opened recently (20/10/2017).
The awards are part of the Indigenous STEM Education Project, funded by the BHP Billiton Foundation and delivered by the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation). The project aims to inspire the next generation of Indigenous innovators and leader in science. Entrants will be divided into different categories ranging from years 11 and 12 in senior secondary school to graduates, post graduates and seasoned STEM professionals with more than 5 years’ experience.
Geoff Guymer Indigenous STEM Awards Coordinator says: “We are looking for the best and the brightest and the most enthusiastic leaders in the area of STEM. The CSIRO is asking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply. There are great prizes to be won. There is also a great opportunity for laureates to develop their careers and lead and inspire the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander STEM professionals and innovators.” Younger entrants, in the senior high school category can win an all-expenses-paid trip to the ISSF conference in Chicago next year.
Last year's nominees comprised a large number of high caliber scientists from the CISRO and other organisations. This year, organisers are seeking a greater number of applicants’ than last year. “We are looking at engineers, mathematicians, scientists in all sorts of fields. We now have a good number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders qualifying every year in fields as diverse as archaeology, right through to medicine, maths, and all the sciences,” Geoff Guymer says.
Besides acknowledging the most competent Indigenous STEM specialist, the program also contributes to the advancement of diversity and inclusion within the STEM fields. “It is really important that we support the students coming through from middle school, senior secondary school to tertiary students so that those students have role models going thru to the professional world. They can see that pathway, it is clear and it is supported all the way through.”
Last year’s Indigenous STEM Professional winner Dr Chris Matthews was able to use his prize to support his organization, ASTIMA (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Alliance). He was also able to travel to Norway on a conference and talk tour where he presented his projects to an international audience.
Nominations for the 2017 Indigenous STEM Awards close on November 10th and the winners will be announced in March 2018.
