Now in its 6th year, AWS Girls' Tech Day in Australia has inspired over 3,200 students and 230 teachers from 95 local primary and high schools to pursue STEM subjects. This year's free event was the largest yet, featuring interactive experiences led by industry experts:
• Moon to Mars Rover Challenges.
• Virtual Firefighting Technology.
• Game Art Exploration.
• Panel of Women STEAM Professionals talking about potential STEAM careers.
Minister for Communications, and Federal Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland MP said: "The Albanese Government is committed to inspiring more young Australians, especially young women and girls, to pursue studies and careers in STEM fields. Events like the AWS Girls' Tech Day play a vital role in sparking that interest and breaking down barriers. Hands-on experiences, engaging role models, and a supportive environment empower students to see themselves in these future-focused disciplines. Building a diverse, skilled STEM workforce is crucial for driving innovation and economic growth for our nation.”
"This event opens students' eyes to the vast possibilities in STEM careers," said Carissa Howell, STEM Coordinator at Seven Hills High School. "The inspiring female speakers shatter myths and show our girls what amazing paths they can pursue."
“I loved hearing the stories of women on the panel and how they inspire us to do what we want even if someone says that you can’t do that,” said Ellie, student at Douglas Park Public School.
Partnering universities, science centres, and organisations like Western Sydney University, Questacon, Monash Nova Rover team and more ran immersive STEM exhibits and challenges. Since 2018, AWS Girls' Tech Day events globally have reached over 21,000 girls and young women ages 8-24, inspiring them to develop and pursue interests in technology careers that will drive progress.
"AWS is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of tech innovators, especially young women and girls, to help address the digital skills gap in Australia," said Michelle Hardie, Head of Proserve for AWS in Australia and New Zealand.
"Through initiatives like AWS Girls' Tech Day, and our collaboration with Inspiring the Future, we're expanding perspectives on STEAM careers. Our commitment to skills development is evident in our training of over 400,000 individuals in Australia since 2017. By fostering diverse talent, we're driving innovation and preparing Australia's future problem-solvers and changemakers."
“Schools Industry Partnership has been supporting students and young people to make the transition from school to further education and employment for three decades,“ said Laura Ramos, CEO of Schools Industry Partnership.
“Our Inspiring the Future program has been working with AWS since the initial AWS Girls’ Tech Day in Australia in 2019. It’s great to see how the event continues to spark curiosity and interest in future learning and careers in STEM among girls and young women. Our involvement in AWS Girls’ Tech Day is genuinely aligned with our organisation’s mission to empower the next generation to reach their full potential.”
About Inspiring the Future
The Inspiring the Future (ITF) program is run by Schools Industry Partnership (SIP), a not-for-profit organisation helping young people discover their career aspirations and transform their skills to succeed at work. Since 1995, SIP has worked successfully with over 60,000 students and school leavers and thousands of employers across the Western Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury regions. SIP connects young people with employers and post-school training opportunities through Work Placement, Transition to Work and Inspiring the Future programs.
