Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)

With a long career teaching STEM in regional Queensland high schools, Sarah Chapman understands first-hand the significant gender disparity in STEM fields. In Australia, women remain underrepresented in STEM education and careers, making up only 27% of STEM-qualified professionals. Sarah knew that addressing this gender imbalance would be essential, as industries are increasingly facing shortages in skilled, diverse workers, impacting Australia’s future growth. She also recognised that there were few opportunities specifically for her students.

Sarah believed that engaging young people in STEM, especially those from underserved groups – girls, students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and regional students – would foster aspirations for a lifelong STEM journey. To achieve this, Sarah applied for and received a $50,000 Backing the Future grant to establish STEM Changemakers. After decades of meaningful conversations with a diverse range of young people, Sarah was able to design a concept that was informed by the needs of regional girls. The initiative connects young regional girls to transformative STEM experiences and mentorship, equipping them to envision themselves in impactful STEM roles in the future.

Three girls stand looking at each other smiling and gesturing with hands.
Group of girls sitting across different levels on stairs.
Three girls smile at the camera whilst working at a table with papers and a laptop.

Supported by the grant which was funded by Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF), Sarah took extended leave from teaching to dedicate herself to STEM Changemakers, securing an additional $18,500 from other sources to amplify its reach. From August 2023 to June 2024, STEM Changemakers unfolded in regional Queensland, beginning with a STEM Faire in Townsville. Attended by 4,100 people, the event included a youth forum for idea generation, leading to three Girls in STEM Youth Forums and collaborations with local STEM experts. Between September and December, 22 girls participated in weekly STEM activities, including a project that secured $10,000 in funding to repurpose PVC pipes for aquaculture, a circular fashion collaboration, and fully funded scholarships for national STEM programs.

By mid-2024, Sarah launched the STEM Changemakers Pilot Program for 33 girls from rural areas, culminating in a youth-led celebration where participants shared their STEM journeys. One participant reflected, “STEM Changemakers has brought me from a girl interested in science to a girl interested in a career in science.”  Sarah credits the Backing the Future Grant with bringing her vision to life, saying, “The trust VFFF had to fund this idea and see what it could grow into is pretty unique.”

As a result of the program, the proportion of participants seeing STEM as a potential career grew from less than 40% to 91%, with 95% showing an increased awareness of STEM pathways.

From the work catalysed by VFFF funding, Sarah hopes to see STEM Changemakers grow to have national reach into regional, rural and remote Australia. She sees the format of STEM Changemakers influencing other organisations across Australia, to address and sustain the engagement of underrepresented girls in STEM.

“The main aim is changing the narrative for regional girls engaged in STEM.  It’s really important as a lot of STEM talent lies in the regional and rural areas of Australia.” 

Excited for the future, the project pilot has affirmed to Sarah the need for a program like this to continue: “I’m excited to continue to find new funding partners to continue to ensure that young regional females are able to see themselves as the next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians.”

You can see STEM Changemakers in action below!