Gladstone's Indigenous schoolchildren to discover STEM with launch of unique program

Some of Gladstone's First Nations primary schoolers will explore the amazing world of science' technology' engineering and mathematics with the launch of the 2021 Buraligim Weiber STEM program at CQUniversity this week.

The program has been developed by CQUniversity STEM Central team and funded by Australia Pacific LNG. The pilot program will see 20 Year 3 and 4 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Gladstone West State School participate in various activities around STEM in a bid to improve engagement' literacy' and school attendance.

CQUni STEM Central Lead Dr Linda Pfeiffer said the students would receive many hands-on experiences and excursions' including boat tours of Gladstone Harbour' Quoin Island' visits to the Botanic Gardens' Spinnaker Park' and CQUni's Costal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC).

"The program has been prepared by a team of educators' academics and local community members and will be implemented by one of the school's teachers' Mirrin Rashleigh' in consultation with Traditional Custodians from the Gooreng Gooreng tribe'"

she said.

"The program also has the support of the Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership and the Gladstone Ports Corporation' who will present information sessions to the kids."

The program will allow the children to learn about the world around them' including impacts on the environment' food and sustainability' local flora and fauna' waterways all through the viewpoint of their connection to Country.

The Buraligim Weiber STEM Program will run from Thursday 15 July' every Thursday until 9 December and there are already plans to repeat the program in 2022.