What is the STEM Girl Power Camp?

The study and practice of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is collectively known as STEM. The fifth annual STEM Girl Power Camp is an initiative of Advancing education: An action plan for education in Queensland. It aims to encourage girls to participate in STEM-focused activities and return to school and inspire others to participate in STEM. In 2021, up to 60 Year 10 girls (Year 9 in 2020) from across Queensland state schools will have the opportunity to participate. Teachers from across Queensland state schools will also be selected to supervise and participate in the camp.

When and where will the STEM Girl Power Camp be held?

The STEM Girl Power Camp will be held from Monday 17 May to Friday 21 May 2021. Year 10 girls from across Queensland will travel to Brisbane for the welcome session on the evening of Monday 17 May 2021.

Students will stay with teachers in supervised share accommodation at the Queensland Conference and Camping Centre (QCCC) located in Brookfield which is approximately 15km out of Brisbane CBD for four nights from Monday 17 May to Thursday 20 May before returning home on Friday 21 May 2021.

Camp activities will take place at a number of locations in Brisbane including and laboratories of universities and research institutions.

How much does it cost and how do students get there?

• There is no cost to schools or students  to attend the STEM Girl Power Camp. Accommodation and meals will be provided. Camp organisers will coordinate travel arrangements to and from the camp with the parents or guardians of selected students and their school principal.
• For students living in regional Queensland, travel to Brisbane will be arranged; however, the school, parent or guardian may need to organise part of the student’s travel, for instance to the regional airport or local transit centre.
• Where a student lives within driving distance of Brisbane, the school and parent or guardian will be required to arrange student travel to the camp and advise the camp organisers.

What if an applicant has additional needs or requirements?

If an applicant is selected by the panel to participate in the camp and requires support, the camp organisers will contact the family, guardian and school to discuss the program and any specific student needs prior to camp. 

What is the application process?

Schools are invited to submit one student application for the 2021 camp. The principal will be asked to select the nomination if multiple applications are received.

1. The school is to nominate one girl enrolled in Year 9 in 2020 (Year 10 in 2021) to apply for the 2020 STEM Girl Power Camp and register the student’s details through the Entrant Portal.
2. The student will receive an email inviting them to complete their application through the Entrant Portal.
3. The student completes their application by responding to these questions:
   • What interests them about STEM, and what role does STEM play in their life? (maximum 300 words)
   • Outline involvement in activities beyond normal school attendance (clubs, teams, competitions) and the impact these activities have on the class, school or community (maximum 300 words)
   • Upload electronic copies of any documents that support the application (for example, award certificate for a competition, name and date of a local event, media or newsletter items featuring participation in STEM events).
4. Schools are to provide a statement of support for the student’s application to the STEM Girl Power Camp by describing the student’s engagement and participation in STEM-related activities and personal qualities that will support them to be a STEM ambassador. (maximum 300 words)
5. The school will also need to provide evidence of the student’s achievement (attach a list of the student’s achievement in Year 8 and Semester 1 Year 9 subjects).  
6. Upon submission of the completed application the student and the principal will receive a confirmation email.

Completed applications (including attachments) are due to be submitted on the Entrant Portal by 5.00pm on Wednesday 28 October 2020.

What are the obligations for student participants?

Before the STEM Girl Power Camp

A panel of education and STEM professionals will identify successful applicants for the camp. By the end of Term 4 2020 successful applicants will be notified and asked to indicate their intention to attend the 2021 STEM Girl Power Camp.

Students will need to confirm their participation, including gaining parental or guardian permission to attend and participate in activities.

Students will be invited to virtual pre-camp activities in Terms 1-2. In April 2021 an information pack consisting of the camp program and various activity permission forms will be sent to participating students.

During the STEM Girl Power Camp

Students will participate in activities and events at the laboratories of STEM partner universities and research institutes in Brisbane and other locations. Students will hear about STEM careers from guest speakers and have discussions with role models and find out about their own role as a STEM ambassador following the camp.

After the STEM Girl Power Camp

Students who attend the STEM Girl Power Camp will be invited to be STEM ambassadors when they return to school. Students will be asked to lead or participate in science activities, for example to promote National Science Week.

Throughout 2021 camp attendees will be invited to be STEM ambassadors and participate in STEM forums led by regional officers. They will be encouraged to raise awareness of their STEM camp experience within their schools on their return. This may include recording their camp experience (video, newsletter article or other message) to promote any future STEM Girl Power initiatives.

STEM Girl Power initiative – Year long program

As STEM Ambassadors throughout 2021 students are encouraged to engage others in STEM awareness activities and to join the camp alumni network. Students will be invited to work with their peers and regional officers to lead or participate in science activities in their schools or communities. The program includes:

• virtual collaboration and a follow up face-to-face one-day forum in each region for Term 2;
• students undertaking activities as regional STEM Ambassadors in Term 3 for National Science Week; and
• the Alumni event to showcase regional ambassador activities in Term 4.  

Key dates

Completed applications (including attachments) submitted on Entrant Portal by 5.00 pm on Wednesday 28 October 2020.

• By the end of Term 4 2020 successful applicants, their parents or guardians and school principal will be notified.
• Before the end of the school year students will be asked to confirm their intention to attend and provide initial information for STEM Girl Power Initiative, planning including virtual sessions in Term 1.; 
• In April 2021 an information package with the camp program and activity permission forms will be sent to camp participants to complete.
• Monday 17 May to Friday 21 May 2021 the camp will be held.
• Monday evening, 17 May 2021 a welcome event will be held followed by activities on 18–21 May 2021.
• Friday 21 May 2021 students will travel home
  
  
  

What is the STEM Girl Power Camp?

The study and practice of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is collectively known as STEM. The fifth annual STEM Girl Power Camp is an initiative of Advancing education: An action plan for education in Queensland. The camp aims to encourage girls to participate in STEM by engaging Year 10 girls in a range of exciting STEM experiences. The girls are also invited to be a STEM ambassador at their school and to inspire other students.

Up to 60 students will be invited to the STEM Girl Power Camp in 2021 from across Queensland’s seven Department of Education (DoE) regions.

Secondary teachers with a passion for STEM are invited to apply to be regional camp leaders travelling with and supervising students and participating at the camp.

When and where will the STEM Girl Power Camp be held?

The STEM Girl Power Camp will be held from Monday 17 May 2021 to Friday 21 May 2021. Year 10 girls (Year 9 in 2020) from across Queensland will travel to Brisbane for a welcome session on the evening of Monday 17 May 2021.

Camp activities will take place at a number of locations in Brisbane including Southbank and laboratories of research institutions.

How much does it cost and how do teachers get there?

There is no cost to the school for a teacher to participate in the camp.

Travel, accommodation, catering and costs of events and activities will be paid for by the DoE. If required, the teacher’s school will be provided with five days of Teaching Relief Scheme (TRS) payment for the school days the teacher is at camp (Monday 17 to Friday 21 May 2021).

Depending on student numbers, at least one teacher from each region will be invited to accompany the students and provide pastoral care.  

Depending on location, the teacher may be required to accompany a number of regional students by plane or bus to and from Brisbane, or meet students at pre-determined locations and be responsible for their supervision. Teachers located within a three hour drive of Brisbane will be expected to organise their travel to camp if not supervising students.

What is the application process?

Only one teacher application will be accepted from each school. If multiple applications are received from a school the principal will be asked to select the school’s nomination.

1. Schools can nominate and register one teacher to apply for the 2021 STEM Girl Power Camp. The principal will need to nominate and register the teacher. Click on the Entrant Portal and submit the teacher’s details.
2. The teacher will receive an email to access the Entrant Portal to complete their application.
3. The teacher will provide the following information:
   • Describe their motivation for applying
     • Why are you passionate about STEM and wish to participate in this program? (maximum 300 words)
     • How do you envisage this camp will benefit you, your students and school community? Outline how you intend to build participation in STEM at your school on your return. (maximum 300 words)
   • Describe their previous camp chaperone experience
     • Outline previous experience chaperoning school or other groups indicating year, place and purpose. (maximum 300 words)
     • Outline what you believe are key responsibilities for chaperones when accompanying students for camps and study tours. You may outline how you have undertaken the task previously. (maximum 300 words)

4. The principal is required to provide a statement of endorsement of the teacher application. (Maximum 300 words)
5. All forms can be downloaded from the Entrant Portal. Once completed all forms and attachments need to be uploaded on to the Entrant Portal to finalise the application submission 5pm on Wednesday 28 October 2020.
6. Upon submission of the completed application the teacher and the principal will receive a confirmation email.

7. Selection panels will identify successful student and teacher applicants for the STEM Girl Power Camp. Selected teachers will be invited to attend the camp and required to respond by a set date. Successful applicants will be notified before the end of the 2020 school year.

What are the obligations for teacher participants?

Before the STEM Girl Power Camp

Teachers will be required to complete the STEM Girl Power Camp Project Consent Forms as part of your acceptance for attending the camp. The project consent forms will outline the activities planned for the camp.

Before camp you will be required to attend teleconferences providing updates on camp planning and information including students attending from your region, and to attend virtual pre-camp collaboration sessions in Term 1-2.

Teachers will be expected to chaperone a group of students from your region during their travel to camp and may be required to make direct contact with students before travel. You will be provided with any relevant health information for the students in your care.

During the STEM Girl Power Camp

Teachers will be required to:

•Teacher will supervise the students as they participate in a number of site visits and activities and will remain with their camp group during this time;
• Teachers are to chaperone and provide pastoral care for the students.
• Teachers are to liaise with the Department’s camp coordinators who will lead the camp.

After the STEM Girl Power Camp

Teachers will be expected to chaperone a group of students from your region during their travel from camp including ensuring students are transported to a pre-set location and met by their guardian. Teachers may need to participate in post-camp briefings.

It is intended that students attending the STEM Girl Power Camp will be STEM ambassadors when they return to school. Students will be invited to lead or participate in science activities in 2021, for example to promote National Science Week. Regional officers will work with the students and their schools to organise events and will contact camp teachers to participate in regional events during the year.

Teachers may also be asked to attend additional professional development sessions in Brisbane or regional centres during the year.

STEM Girl Power initiative – Year long program

To expand the initiative’s reach camp students are encouraged to engage others in STEM awareness activities throughout the year and to participate in an alumni network. The initiative now includes:

• virtual collaboration and a follow up face-to-face one-day forum in each region for Term 2 or Term 3;
• students undertaking activities as regional STEM Ambassadors in Term 3 for National Science Week; and
• the Alumni event to showcase regional ambassador activities in Term 4.  

Key dates

Completed applications (including attachments) submitted on Entrant Portal by 5.00 pm on Wednesday 28 October 2020.

• By the end of Term 4 2020 successful applicants, their parents or guardians and school principal will be notified.
• Before the end of Term 4 2020 teachers will be asked to confirm their intention to attend and provide initial information for camp planning  
• In April 2021 an information package with the camp program and activity permission forms will be sent to successful applicants to complete.
• Monday 17 May 2021 to Friday 21 May 2021 the camp will be held.
• Monday evening, 17 May 2021 a welcome event will be held followed by activities on 17–21 May 2021.
• Friday 21 May 2021 students will travel home