The GEMS 2020 conference

Young women taking notes during a presentation in a dimly-lit auditorium.

The GEMS 2020 conference enabled 100 Year 9 and 10 girls from disadvantaged schools primarily in Melbourne’s west to meet local STEM career role models.

The event included a keynote speaker, speed dating with career role models and practical design thinking workshops conducted by the Ecolinc team and Fizzics Education. Ecolinc’s labs and other facilities were utilised for GEMS 2020. Ecolinc is a specialist STEM learning facility established by the Victorian State Government in 2006. It uses environmental themes to engage teachers and students in STEM teaching and learning.

This project addressed the need to build STEM career awareness and aspirations of female students.

  • 100 girls – Years 9 & 10

  • 10 schools

  • One day conference
The Ecolinc logo: ‘Ecolinc’ at its center, with ‘Science and Technology Innovations Centre Baccus Marsh’ below it, and the tagline ‘Bringing the environment and sustainability to life’ emerging to the right, with ‘ENGAGE DISCOVER INSPIRE’ below that tagline. To the left of all of this are decorative green and blue swishes and dots.

About Ecolinc

Ecolinc is a specialist STEM learning facility established by the Victorian State Government in 2006. It uses environmental themes to engage teachers and students in STEM teaching and learning.