Inspiring Indigenous girls to participate in STEM.

Stacey Buckley was one of five students from New South Wales, Australia, selected to participate in NASA's Space Training Camp last October.

She said, "I never thought I'd have the opportunity to do anything related to science . So, coming to the US and participating in NASA's Space Camp opened a door I never thought I'd be able to reach."

Opportunities to help Indigenous youth develop skills

The camp, held at the U.S. Space and Missile Center in Huntsville, Alabama, attracted young people from many countries to participate in activities related to aerospace, space travel, and leadership skills training.

Stacey is proud to represent the Indigenous community in Australia. She dreams of pursuing a degree in Science at university and is currently studying Chemistry, Earth Science, and Biology at school. During the camp activities, Stacey was particularly excited to experience the gravity chair, which simulates the gravitational pull of the Moon.

NASA's training camp program is funded through a new partnership between the National Indigenous Sports Opportunity Academy (NASCA) and the Honeywell Global Leadership Challenge Academy.

NASCA, an Indigenous-run organization in New South Wales, aims to support Indigenous students in achieving academic success. Hayley Astill, NASCA's Deputy Programme Director, is a Gamilaraay Ularoi.

Hayley said the camp program is an opportunity for Indigenous youth to develop skills and pave the way for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Hayley added: "Aboriginal women rarely get opportunities like this... Opening doors for them to explore the world is something we always strive for."

Jasmine Wilson, a Year 12 student from the Kamilaroi and Wiradjuri communities at Tempe High School in western Sydney, hopes this experience will enhance her leadership skills.

Jasmine shared: "I believe this program will help me become more confident, especially as I get to meet many people and represent my culture and school."

Sharee Bourke, Jasmine's science teacher, has noticed an increasing number of girls showing interest in science subjects like physics and chemistry.

Stacey Buckley was one of five students from New South Wales, Australia, selected to participate in NASA's Space Training Camp last October.

She shared: "Everything has changed, it's wonderful... I see myself as a role model for women and girls entering the field of science. It's so rewarding to see them confidently exploring science and expressing themselves."

Choose to pursue your passion.

Renee Wootton, a Tharawal woman, is accustomed to flying at high altitudes. This aerospace engineer is interning at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Los Angeles, with the dream of becoming Australia's first Indigenous astronaut.

"I'm currently working on an early-stage research project for future space expeditions. It's really amazing," she shared. Growing up in Queensland, she was the first in her family to attend university and also the first to pursue a career in aviation. At age 15, Renee joined the Air Force Academy—an opportunity she says "changed my life forever."

She shared: "You can't imagine all the opportunities that await you. Every time I choose to pursue my passion and goal of developing the global aerospace industry, I feel like doors have opened in ways I never expected."

Since then, Renee has been involved in the Western Sydney International Airport project, led the Indigenous recruitment strategy at Qantas, and is currently the Director of New Market Development at the biotechnology company Lanzajet.

Source: ABC

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/australia-truyen-cam-hung-cho-tre-em-gai-tho-dan-tham-gia-stem-20241119164339066.htm