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Nicole Butler

Jul 04 2025
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Reflections from an eMentor

By News, Profiles

Aleeta Carmody is studying a Bachelor of Human Resource Management majoring in Psychology at Deakin University. This semester she mentored two year 9 students at Sale College through the In2science eMentoring program. While in high school at Galen Catholic College in Wangaratta, Aleeta was a mentee in the same program. Here, Aleeta reflects on how valuable having a mentor was when she was in high school, and her motivations for joining the program as a current university student.

When I was in year 10 I was paired with my eMentor, Sara. I can’t exactly remember what she was studying but I believe she was doing a Masters thesis about blood. Talking to her, she had a clear passion about STEM and it was infectious. Despite this, she was honest about the difficulties of academia and getting research funding. It was really inspiring that she continued to do something she loved despite the obstacles and uncertainty. I wanted to find a pathway that gave me as much drive and fulfilment as she had. We spent many sessions discussing the different careers and pathways. We also discussed what I was doing in classes, science news, and general phenomena and theories. I really appreciated her commitment to providing me the mentorship I needed at the time.

I found the transition to university quite difficult. I think in many ways I was trying to put off moving to the next phase of my life; I finished my last shift at my gap year job on Friday, moved to Melbourne over the weekend, then started my first classes on Monday. Logistically I could have moved earlier but I was really comfortable in my life and enjoyed my job. I ended up moving back home quite quickly because I found all the change to be too much. Being able to work and be surrounded by community is more important to me than I realised prior to starting uni. I also struggled with having a full course load. In high school, I was taking a full load just fine but a key difference with studying uni online is that technically you can do things anytime. There are often classes you can attend live but if you miss them you can always just watch a lecture. Skipping classes live is an easy trap to fall into and not properly engage. Eventually I found a good balance. For me this means working part time, studying part time, and participating in my local community theatre group.

When I saw the opportunity to become a mentor through the In2science program, I jumped at it. I really wanted the opportunity to share my love of STEM with others and give back to a program that I really enjoyed being a part of. Despite my course being business-focused my major is psychology. I try to apply what I consider the key components of science to every aspects of my life: curiosity, the knowledge of those who came before you, and data collection/analysis. I genuinely believe we can all be scientists, not necessarily in the traditional way in a lab but in the sense that we can all use research, observations, and experiment with different variables to make things better. I do my best to share this perspective with my mentees while also focusing on giving them what they want to get out of the program. I’ve found it really rewarding to be a mentor and I look forward to catching up with my mentees each week.

Jun 30 2025
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In2science at Bundoora Secondary College Open Night

By News

By Rachel Ella

Every year, secondary schools around the country hold Open Days or Nights, showcasing what each school has to offer prospective students and their families. There are interactive science displays, musical performances, cooking demonstrations, 3D printing, woodworking, robotics, and so much more to explore and discover.

Once again, In2science were lucky enough to be invited to participate in Bundoora Secondary College’s Open Night. Bundoora SC have been an In2science partner school since 2007, and last year their teachers and students were winners and nominees at our annual awards night. It was lovely to see these certificates proudly on display at Open Night!

Three of our mentors currently placed at Bundoora Secondary College joined me on the night to talk about In2science and what it had to offer students in STEM classrooms. We were excited to have our table set up in the College’s brand-new science building! The teachers and students had worked tirelessly in the week leading up to Open Night to set all the equipment and furniture back up in its new home.

Jayanti, currently studying her Masters of Laboratory Medicine at RMIT University, joined me on the night. She has been working with year 8-10 students in the STEM Club and has assisted them in putting together a periodic table of The Diverse History of STEM. This amazing piece of science art was on display at Open Night (pictured below). It depicts many of the scientists credited with STEM discoveries over the centuries. It’s very impressive, don’t you think?

Over the course of the evening, Jayanti, Lakshan, Nishadini, and I spoke to many prospective parents about the In2science program and the exciting prospect of having a university student mentor in one of their child’s STEM classes. We also spoke to many of the students, finding out it they liked science and maths and what they enjoyed about it. You can imagine the fun answers and conversations we had with them! I cannot confirm or deny if Mentos were used in any bribery!

If you are interested in having an In2science mentor in your classroom, please reach out to our Program Manager at [email protected]. We are currently recruiting, interviewing and training a fabulous cohort of mentors ready for semester 2, so email us today!

Jun 13 2025
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Exploring the Unknown World: A Day of Immunology

By News

By Thisanja Cooray, Masters of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics student at La Trobe University and current In2science eMentor.

Last month, the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS) and the Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology Inc. (ASI) hosted a Discovery Tour of infection and immunity at La Trobe University. This was a great opportunity to show my In2science mentee, Rhiannon, a peek into how scientists work to find better solutions to fight new diseases. Rhiannon is a curious student – we had amazing In2science sessions, delving into the different realms of science, from cell biology to viruses, during our meetings.

I remember my school days during science field trips, I would be thrilled to find out there was some hands-on experience and interesting science to hear about. Now looking back on it, I can see how this has inspired me to consider taking science at university. So, when the opportunity came about, I immediately contacted my coordinator Dr Tahnee Saunders and put the message out in hopes that my mentee would join in me in an adventure.

Stepping into La Trobe’s Labs

We first sat down to hear Dr Emma Grant’s interesting talk on her work about the Bird Flu. It was a fantastic opportunity for Rhiannon to hear from a great scientist! I was particularly very excited when I found out there was some hands-on activities in the labs as this would help to show real-life lab techniques and foster confidence in STEM.

Everyone was sorted to different groups; our group leader was Professor Begoña Heras, another amazing scientist who guided us through all the sections of the labs. Our first stop was the world of Microbiology, where we went through bacterial and fungi plates that originated from a variety of places, all the way from rivers to someone’s shoe – some of them glowing like the sunset! They were fascinating species, some beneficial to the world, such as those used in insulin production, and others less so.

Then we headed into another lab, geared up in lab coats and gloves, where we got to see cells through a microscope, protein gels, and protein crystallization. Then for the more exciting part – loading an actual protein gel! See what Rhiannon has to say about this experience:

“My favourite part of the day was going into the PC2 lab wearing a lab coat and gloves for the first time. There were a few hands-on activities for me and the rest of the group to participate in. We got to ask the scientists about kidney cancer cells under a microscope. We moved on to the next exciting thing, gel electrophoresis! I got to load a gel to identify what type of protein it was. For that task I used a pipette and a vial containing the different proteins. I was successful at loading the protein into the well in the gel.”

In fact, Rhiannon loaded the protein accurately for the first time!

We also delved into microscopy, from light microscopes to confocal where we observed zebrafish:

“I was taken back by the beating of the zebrafish’s heart, and by the absurdly small size of the creature. I found it fascinating how the zebrafish were transparent for a few weeks. I was also surprised at the size of the labs and university. It had a large range of subjects and was a store of enormous knowledge.”

Why Days Like This Matter

Overall, it was a fun and enlightening experience for not only my mentee but myself as it strengthens my own understanding of science and gives me more appreciation of the research project that I am currently doing for my final year of Masters at La Trobe.

I think it is important for young learners to explore the different sides of science, learn how research has made it into the real world and spark curiosity. Through programs like In2science, this can be achieved. I thank the organisers of the event and my In2science Coordinator Dr Tahnee Saunders for giving me this wonderful opportunity to inspire my mentee.

Stay curious!

Jun 10 2025
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From Neurodiverse to Neuroaware: Mentors Upskill with a Neuroinclusive Workshop

By Events, News

On Wednesday May 28, the In2science team and volunteer mentors from our partner universities gathered at beautiful Deakin Downtown for a professional development workshop. Presented by the amazing Dr Rebecca (Bec) Muir, manager of Disability and Neurodiversity Inclusion at La Trobe University, this interactive, fun, and occasionally challenging workshop explored our perceptions of neurodiversity and gave practical advice on how we can all be more neuroinclusive in our day-to-day lives. We asked our fabulous attendees to share their thoughts on the event.

eMentor Gracy Arora from Deakin University, who is currently working with a student from Maffra Secondary College, had this to say about the experience:

“As an international student living in Australia for the past two years, I’ve often found it challenging to truly feel at home. However, during the two-hour neuroinclusion training session led by Dr Rebecca, I experienced a profound sense of belonging and understanding that I had not felt before. The session was incredibly enlightening—it introduced me to concepts I had never encountered and shifted my perspective in powerful ways. Dr Rebecca’s delivery was thoughtful, clear, and deeply impactful. The safe, respectful environment she cultivated made everyone feel seen and heard, and for the first time in a long while, I felt equal and included. Coming from a psychology background, I’ve sometimes struggled to fully grasp how neuroinclusion should be practiced in everyday settings. This session not only clarified those gaps but also gave me the confidence to approach these topics with greater sensitivity and awareness. I walked away with a new language of inclusion and a greater appreciation for the small, often overlooked actions that can make a big difference. It was a truly eye-opening experience, and I am immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to participate.”

La Trobe Masters student and eMentor, also at Maffra Secondary College, Kajanan Sathiyaseelan shared these insightful words:

“Looking back, I have learned a lot as an eMentor from explaining science to kids who are hungry for knowledge to being their friend and sharing my struggles as a neuroatypical person in my academic journey. I had the amazing opportunity to attend a lecture by Rebecca Muir on neurodiversity. She broke down the phobia that society often holds about neurodiverse people. What they really need is love and support from fellow humans, along with a safe space to express themselves and just be themselves. Inclusion is a simple step. We need to stop fearmongering, start loving, and treat everyone as our fellow humans. As a neuroatypical person, I understand the struggles of those who share my spectrum. Be the change.”

Emma Iacuone, also from La Trobe University and mentoring at Epping Secondary College, offered her thoughts:

“I had the amazing opportunity to attend the ‘Neuroinclusion in practice and language’ workshop presented by the lovely Dr. Rebecca Muir! I got to meet with other mentors and eMentors from the program, where we learnt together about neuroinclusive language, and what being neuroinclusive in a classroom setting can look like. The biggest idea I took away from the workshop was that each person has different needs, and that when I am in the classroom, it is a good thing to ask all students about what they prefer. This reduces the assumption that neurodivergence is uncommon, and I can change how I share information or explain concepts to students with different learning styles. I felt the workshop atmosphere was extremely supportive, fun (I learnt how to fold an origami chatterbox!), and informative. I wanted to say thank you to the In2science team for the opportunity to be a part of this workshop!”

Lenny Zhang, an eMentor from The University of Melbourne mentoring at St John’s Regional College, said the following:

“As someone who hates stepping out of their comfort zone, pushing myself to come to this workshop was a challenge although I knew it was going to help me to expand my knowledge in an unfamiliar field. However, this challenge took me by surprise. I had learnt knowledge, theories and ideas that I was unprepared for yet desperately needed. As a psychology student, I have often heard of the words neurodiverse and neurodivergent, but I never understood the difference between them. I also felt a deep connection with the cutlery theory, which articulated why we may react differently to the big and small stressors in everyday life. I felt welcomed, accepted and respected. Small fidgets were provided that could suit people’s learning needs, as some of us, such as me, learn better with a certain level of “distraction”. We were given multiple breaks to refuel our bodies and let our concentrated minds rest. Before we knew it, Dr Rebecca Muir has made the workshop more than a classroom that taught us about neurodiversity, but also a place that demonstrated how to create a safe space that respected the differences between people.”

One of our favourite aspects of In2science is being able to give back to our hard-working and committed volunteers with these exceptional professional development workshops. Our mentors learnt so much from Bec and have upskilled not only their mentoring, but their everyday interactions with diverse people. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Bec for running this fantastic workshop sharing her extensive knowledge about becoming more neuroaware!

Jun 02 2025
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Sharing Science Beyond Academia: Reflections on Mentoring and Public Engagement

By News

Ahalya Suresh is an In2science mentor working with a year 9 science class at Doveton College. She is currently completing her PhD at RMIT University. In this reflection piece, Ahalya talks about her love for sparking curiosity in others through science communication.

 

If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d one day be talking about mangroves and climate change in a pub full of strangers, I probably would have laughed nervously and gone back to my lab bench. Yet here I am; a proud mentor with In2science, and now, a presenter at Pint of Science.

My journey into science wasn’t a straight line. Like many students, I didn’t grow up knowing exactly what I wanted to be. But I knew I was curious about how the world works, why our oceans matter, and how we can do better for the planet.  It wasn’t until university that I truly discovered my passion for environmental science, especially the mysterious and often overlooked ecosystems like mangroves, saltmarshes, and seagrasses. These “blue carbon” ecosystems are not just fascinating; they’re powerful tools in the fight against climate change. The more I learned about them, the more I knew I wanted to dig deeper (sometimes literally – muddy boots and all) and contribute to their conservation.

That’s how I landed in my current PhD research, which explores how regenerative tourism, where tourists actively contribute to restoring the environment, can help protect and restore coastal wetlands. It’s a space where science, sustainability, and society intersect, and that makes it more exciting.

When I joined In2science, I didn’t just want to share knowledge, I wanted to spark curiosity. Mentoring high school students reminded me why I fell in love with science in the first place. Their questions, creativity, and fresh perspectives were energising. It was a two-way street: while I offered insights into university life and STEM careers, they challenged me to explain my work in ways that actually made sense beyond academic jargon.

Somewhere along the way, I realised science doesn’t just belong in classrooms or journals. It belongs everywhere – in conversations over coffee, on social media, in art, and yes, even over a pint.

So, when I got the chance to speak at Pint of Science, a global festival where researchers share their science in local pubs with curious audiences, I jumped at it.

And when I stood up to speak at my first Pint of Science event, I felt that same spark I had as an In2science mentor, that sense of connection. I talked about mangroves, climate change, and community action and people actually wanted to know more. They asked thoughtful questions. They told me about their own experiences visiting wetlands. They made connections I hadn’t even thought of.

It was electric.

Because at the heart of both In2science and Pint of Science is one powerful idea: science is for everyone.

Mentoring helped me rediscover a purpose beyond my research. It reminded me that science isn’t just about data and discoveries, it’s about impact, and about making complex ideas accessible and relevant to people’s lives.

Most importantly, it gave me confidence. It reminded me that I had something worth sharing, and that communication is just as crucial as experimentation in making science matter.

In2science gave me a platform. It gave me a purpose beyond the thesis. And it set me on a path where sharing science has become just as fulfilling as doing it.

If you’re a university student thinking about mentoring or getting into science communication, here’s my advice: just start.

Start small. Start nervous. Start messy. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be real.

Whether it’s mentoring one student or chatting with a stranger about your research over a drink, every conversation matters. You never know whose curiosity you’ll ignite or how the experience might transform your own.

May 29 2025
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Talking Silk, Science, and Storytelling at Pint of Science

By News

Deakin University PhD candidate Dilendra Wijesekara mentored year 7 science students at Geelong High School in 2024. Here, Dilendra shares her story about her research interests and how important it is to communicate about science with others.

I’m a PhD candidate at Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials, researching silk-based biomaterials for biomedical applications in collaboration with the Ear Science Institute of Australia. Alongside my research, I’m a science communicator passionate about finding creative ways to explain complex science. I also work as a casual research assistant in biomedical device validation and serve as the Communications Manager for Pint of Science Australia, where I focus on making science both accurate and accessible.

Earlier this year, I got to do something a little different from my usual lab work, talk about my research on stage at Pint of Science, where scientists take over pubs across Australia to share their work with the public. I spoke about how silk, the same stuff in your pillowcase or your favourite pair of pyjamas might one day help treat chronic middle ear disease. It’s a fascinating space where nature meets medical innovation, and I’ve discovered I really enjoy finding creative ways to explain it.

That’s something I also loved about being part of In2science. Coming from a background in university teaching in Sri Lanka, I found it incredibly rewarding to work with high school students here in Australia. From my very first interview with Tordy to the energising mentor workshop, the school sessions, and the final bubble tea celebration, the whole experience was full of connection, learning, and a lot of heart. It was such a joy to help students see the real-world impact of science, and to see their curiosity light up.

Getting on stage at Pint of Science felt like a natural next step. Just like in the classroom, it was all about making science fun, relatable, and maybe even a little surprising. I’m so grateful to be part of the In2science family, and I’ve truly appreciated how supportive they’ve been in celebrating me and my journey, even after the program ended. Whether I’m mentoring students, presenting research, or managing digital content, I keep coming back to this: science is powerful, but it’s even more powerful when we share it.

Mar 05 2025
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In2science goes to Parliament!

By News

In2science was thrilled to receive an invite from the Royal Society of Victoria to attend a panel event to commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The Royal Society of Victoria is a prestigious organisation that has been promoting the advancement and communication of science since its creation in 1854. On Friday February 21, members of the In2science team travelled to Victoria’s Parliament House in the heart of Melbourne to attend this forum, entitled “The Solutions of the Future”. Hosted by ABC science journalist and presenter Natasha Mitchell and livestreamed on the Parliament of Victoria website, this event brought together three inspiring women working in various STEM disciplines to discuss the future of health, climate, and energy in Australia.

 

The forum was opened by Parliamentary Secretary for Education Nina Taylor MP, who spoke about the way incorrect and outdated gender stereotypes can negatively impact female students and the careers they aspire to. Ruwini Cooray, who recently completed a PhD in neurogenetics, discussed the many and varied challenges she has faced while getting her biotech start-up off the ground. Ruwini spoke with such passion and determination about her vision of creating safe, permanent brain implants leading to a cure for debilitating brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Climate scientist Dr Kim Reid displayed sincere enthusiasm for educating the public about climate change and spoke fondly of the different directions a career in STEM can take you – even to a performance at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! Dr Morley Muse provided fascinating insight into the future of renewable energy and discussed her work on promoting gender equity in STEM, an ongoing issue raised in Nina Taylor’s opening speech.

 

These inspiring panel members were quizzed by the event’s attendees – female high school students from Tech Schools all around Victoria. Whittlesea, Banyule Nillumbik, Hume, Ballarat, and Wangaratta Tech Schools were represented, as well as the Science Gallery Melbourne STEM Centre of Excellence. The students asked extremely thoughtful, insightful, and sometimes tough questions about facing challenges, getting over the fear of making mistakes, best advice received, work/life balance, and even what ice cream flavour each discipline would be!

 

In2science would like to thank the organisers of this event: the Parliament of Victoria, Inspiring Victoria, and the Department of Education. We would like to extend a special thank you to Royal Society of Victoria CEO Mike Flattley and President Rob Gell. We were honoured to be a part of this event. Please click here to view a recording of the panel on the Parliament of Victoria website.

Jan 28 2025
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20 years of In2science!

By Awards, Events, News

The annual Awards Night was again the most anticipated event on the In2science calendar, and this year it was extra special as we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the creation of the program. In2science was born at La Trobe University in August 2004, driven by two key figures, David Finlay and John McDonald. The program has gone through many highs and lows since then, surviving and thriving through the leadership of its passionate directors, managers and coordinators, and of course the teachers, mentors and mentees that participate in the program.

 

On Tuesday December 10, the In2science team welcomed these participants and their guests to our fabulous event. This year the event was held at the stunning Ian Potter Auditorium at The University of Melbourne. The foyer was lovingly decorated with photos from the past, posters celebrating some long-serving staff members and teachers, and a timeline showcasing key moments in our 20-year history. These eye-catching pieces really helped to set the scene for a fun, reflective and somewhat nostalgic look back at the In2science program.

 

The evening opened with an Acknowledgement of Country from Program Director Dr Gabby Goldberg, who followed with a heartfelt story about why it is so important to encourage everyone to engage with STEM. We were also treated to a video montage from some of the legends that make up In2science’s past and present – Megan Mundy (Program Director 2012-2019), Amanda Dales (Bayswater Secondary College teacher and Advisory Board member), Aleeta Carmody (past eMentee and current eMentor) and Julia Cleghorn (past Coordinator and current university manager). In2science Chair, The Honourable Professor John Brumby AO, continued these sentiments and congratulated In2science on another successful year. Our guest speaker, Dr Jessica Danaher, Associate Dean Student Experience (Science) at RMIT University, delivered a funny and inspiring speech all about making the most of opportunities when they are presented to you and taking chances on new experiences. It was an absolute delight to have Dr Danaher as our keynote for the evening!

 

We kicked off the awards presentations with the Mentor Support Teacher Award, which goes to teachers that have been exceptionally welcoming and helpful to our volunteer mentors. This year, Veronica Chia of St John’s Regional College and Matthew Tempone from Bundoora Secondary College were deserving winners. Veronica was new to In2science this year but her persistence and dedication with getting the program running at her school were outstanding. Matthew has been a huge supporter of the program and helped us place 13 mentors at his school. The School Engagement Award was given to joint winners Maffra Secondary College, who have hosted an incredible 99 eMentors since 2016, and Mount Alexander College, with over 90 placements since 2018! We are so grateful to all our participating schools and supportive teachers, as the program would not have continued for 20 years without you!

 

The Outstanding Mentee award was next. We had so many fantastic finalists this year that we awarded four prizes. Our winners this year were Harry Allison from Maffra Secondary College, Avalon-May Barton from Virtual School Victoria, Patrick Benson from Geelong High School, and Nha Y Tran from Charles La Trobe P-12 College. Congratulations to all our nominated mentees for showing exceptional initiative, curiosity, dedication and engagement with STEM – keep it up! Our mentee speakers, Millie Martin and Olivia Skewes from Maffra Secondary College were up next. These girls showed confidence beyond their years to speak in front of our guests about their experience in the eMentoring program. Millia and Olivia spoke about how their mentor Sauti helped them to open up and learn more about biotechnology. It was lovely to see how proud Sauti was of her mentees!

 

It was then time for the mentor awards, and first we awarded STEM Champion to Jessica Iktear of La Trobe University. Jess is a stand-out mentor who goes out of her way to help others and, after three semesters with us, is now aspiring to be a teacher. The Connection award went to Christon Kenneth Dsouza from RMIT University for his easy-going nature and ability to bond with the students. Our very deserving winner for the Dedication award was Jackson Giddens from Deakin University. Jackson has a very busy workload but still always made time to enthusiastically attend his placements, which was greatly appreciated. The Communication award went to new mentor Nolan Wen from Swinburne University of Technology for their efforts to engage with every student in their class. Ava Collison from The University of Melbourne was the winner of the Impact award. Ava has received nothing but positive feedback and we are excited that they will continue to impact students’ learning in their future career as a teacher.

 

The Mentor Leaders Program award was given to Mahin Maleki from Deakin University for her engagement with the program and her industry mentor Lachlan from SPARK North East Link. Mahin learnt as much as she could from Lachlan and always sent thorough updates on her progress. Finally, we awarded two prizes to our fabulous eMentors. The Regional Impact award was given to Jolene Erin Rosca from Deakin University. Jolene moved from in-class mentoring last year to eMentoring this year and did not skip a beat. Her connection with her mentees is nothing short of inspiring. A new award for this year, the Regional Connection award, was given to Sauti Malabika Nadi from RMIT University. Sauti’s kind heart and passion for STEM really stood out in her mentoring sessions and she went above and beyond to support her mentees.

 

Our final speaker for the night was the aforementioned Jessica Iktear. To La Trobe team members, Jess needs no introduction as she is always willing to lend a hand and has helped us train new mentors. Jess spoke about how science is everywhere and for everyone, and told a beautiful story about how she connected with a student through the science in video games. We are thrilled that soon Jess will be leading her own classroom and will continue to inspire the next generation to engage with STEM.

 

After the ceremony, it was time to enjoy some food and drinks in the foyer, while admiring the fantastic display of the history of In2science. It was a chance for old workmates to catch up, and new connections to be made. It was a time for thanking our participants and supporters, and looking forward to another 20 years of this important life-changing and inspiring program!

A video of the fabulous 2024 Awards Night can be viewed here:

 

Click here to read more about the 2024 Awards winners and finalists

Click here to access the 2024 Awards Photo Gallery

 

In2science is grateful for the generous support of our Program partners:  Department of Education Victoria, The Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and the Selby Scientific Foundation.

Oct 28 2024
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Enabling diversity in STEM – a team sport!

By News

By Tahnee Saunders

On October 10 and 11, In2science Program Manager Nicole Butler and I attended the 2024 Diversity in STEM Collaboration Workshop. Held at RMIT University in Naarm/Melbourne, the workshop gathered advocates of diversity and inclusion in STEM from tertiary institutions across Australia and New Zealand. It served as a platform for sharing impactful outreach programs and fostering connections to address the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in STEM. This event was the first of its kind I have attended after leaving my role of medical research scientist at the coal face of research into Parkinson’s Disease and taking on the new role as eMentoring Coordinator with In2science. It was so fulfilling to feel part of a community of passionate and caring people, all offering diverse programs to help everyone feel welcome in STEM fields.

Facilitated by Yemi Penn, an engineer, entrepreneur, and transformation thought leader, the workshop provided captivating sessions and interactive collaboration activities. Yemi is an absolute delight, thank you for reminding us to dream unreasonably and be curious rebels. I think the world needs more curious rebels, who are able to challenge current thinking and not be afraid to say what needs to be said. Yemi does this, while also maintaining a safe space, approaching all potentially uncomfortable situations with kindness and empathy.

Professor Kay Latham, Dean of STEMM, Diversity & Inclusion at RMIT, opened the workshop with a heartfelt speech providing a new perspective on the oft-quoted saying “you can’t be what you can’t see”. Prof Latham shared that this isn’t necessarily true as someone needs to be first and pave the way – as she has done herself. Now, young girls and women can look up to Prof Latham, and see themselves in her. Next up, the attendees presented short pitches about their programs and their involvement in Diversity in STEM. It was fantastic to hear about all the great work being done in this space at various institutions and find more people to connect with. Nicole and I would be lying if we didn’t say one of the big draw cards on the agenda was the “Connect with LEGO” session. I love LEGO, but little did I know how much Nicole loves LEGO, I even found out she has a LEGO passport – which I didn’t even know was a thing! Jokes aside, the “Connect with LEGO” session proved to be an innovative and effective technique for enhancing communication between participants, with some creative builds following the prompt “build who you are outside of your work.”

The research nerd in me particularly enjoyed the super engaging talk from Associate Professor Sarah Holdsworth. Sarah shared her insightful journey of engaging with the construction industry to drive meaningful change for women and transform perceptions among young individuals. Sarah’s impactful work spans various research areas, including Sustainability Education, Sustainable Built Environments, and Diversity and Inclusion in the Construction Industry. Her profound understanding of the challenges faced by women in construction is evident through her instrumental research that has influenced policy changes and cultural shifts within the industry. Sarah’s commitment to fostering resilient communities and promoting gender equality has not only informed key strategies like the Building Equality Policy but has also sparked ongoing dialogues with stakeholders to address complex barriers and drive tangible progress. The model that Sarah and her collaborators have applied to the construction industry is one that can be moulded and applied to other industries in dire need of cultural shifts to ensure all are places where diverse people are valued and can thrive.

During the session “Working with Teachers,” an expert panel featuring Carolyn Drenen from Pascoe Vale Girls College, Ffion Bowles from Dandenong High School (both of whom are involved with In2science), and Broderick Matthews from Questacon, emphasised the crucial role of educators in promoting diversity in STEM. Carolyn’s shoutout to the In2science program during the panel discussion highlighted the impact of our program in her school. The panel discussion focused on the how our programs can adapt to the needs of teachers, in an environment of increasing workloads, changing education needs of children and teens, and teacher shortages. In2science is enabled by the passion of our teachers like Carolyn and Ffion – and as a program, we want to keep improving to remove barriers and burdens on teachers, so more teachers can feel inspired and empowered to implement our program at their schools too.

Throughout the discussions held at the workshop, I gained valuable insights into the importance of co-creation in program design to cater to the specific needs of our target population. Understanding the significance of tailoring programs to address the unique challenges and requirements of diverse groups was a key takeaway for me. This knowledge will be instrumental in enhancing the impact of In2science’s initiatives. Nicole Butler, In2science Program Manager, aptly captured the essence of the workshop with her quote: “The workshop was a great chance to meet up with like-minded people and share ideas to overcome common challenges faced when working in STEM outreach. It was encouraging to see so many people determined to make STEM more accessible, especially to women who often don’t feel safe or accepted in certain areas. I’m looking forward to staying connected with the Diversity in STEM Collective and excited about what we can achieve together.”

Looking ahead, I am excited about In2science’s plan to engage in discussions with our target audiences, including students and teachers, in 2025. This proactive approach aims to ensure that our program remains relevant and effective even after 20 years of operation. By directly involving stakeholders, we can gather valuable feedback, adapt to evolving needs, and continue making a meaningful difference to the students who engage with our mentoring program. The Diversity in STEM Collaboration Workshop was a transformative experience, inspiring a commitment to prioritising inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous improvement in our STEM outreach efforts. I look forward to applying these insights to further enhance the impact of In2science and contribute to a more diverse and equitable STEM landscape.

Thank you to Tara Graves, Maddy Yewers, Ngoc Nguyen, and the team at RMIT for hosting this event. Photography credit: Ashish Narwade.

Oct 21 2024
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Hume Central Secondary College Science Expo – next gen scientists on display!

By News

By Rachel Ella

National Science Week is an annual Australian celebration of science and technology featuring events hosted by schools, universities, museums and libraries, just to name a few. This year Hume Central Secondary College again hosted its Science Expo which involved year 9 students conducting an experiment in the lead up to the Expo and presenting their results to students from a local primary school and some STEM professionals. In2science was fortunate to be invited to part of the event, along with Geert Hendrix from Farmwall and a number of representatives from CSL.

Over the course of two days, In2science mentors Chi (from The University of Melbourne) and Beth (Deakin University) assisted the year 9 students with the preparation and set up of their presentations. Chi participated in judging the presentations on day one and I joined Beth to judge on day two. Chi said the students “showed clear understanding of key scientific terms such as the controlled, dependent, and independent variables, as well as the background information and explanations for the science behind their experiments.” She appreciated the importance placed on what level to pitch the presentations at and how the students communicated, identifying that both are vital yet underrated skills in the STEM field. Chi said, “The students seemed to have a lot of fun, with some proudly showing their video documentation of their experiment, as well as jokes and laughs shared between friends.”

Beth and I enjoyed meeting the students on day two and learning about their experiments, the challenges they faced, what they did to overcome them and the successes they had. Judging the students’ presentations was a great experience! There were lots of different personalities and levels of confidence throughout the groups with some showing flare and humour and others preferring to let the facts tell the story. The primary school kids had fun voting by placing a token in the box in front of their favourite group. Beth and I, along with the other STEM professionals, voted on communication, teamwork and scientific knowledge.

Congratulations to Chris Egan, Science and STEAM Leader at Hume Central Secondary College, and his team for an exceptionally well-run event. It was a fun day to be a part of and heartening to see the students’ passion for science. Well done to all the students! You all did an amazing job and a special congratulations to the winners!

If your school is interested in joining the In2science program, please click here for more information. If your school has an expo or event you would like us to attend, please reach out to our Program Manager.