Introducing Georgia, who worked on a most fascinating STEM exploration, guided by Heidi her STEM Coach for the program. Coming from a rural area, Georgia gained amazing benefits such as access to labs and experiments during camps, but also the knowledge and inspiration from being mentored by Heidi, a professional working in the STEM industry.

Georgia was a student in the 2024-25 Curious Minds program, attending West Summer Camp, participating in online Connect sessions, being mentored by a STEM Coach, working on a STEM exploration, and attending the online Winter Camp. Let’s hear from Georgia!

What led you to do the Curious Minds Program?

My teacher suggested I give it a go after I participated in a Science Competition.

Which discipline of STEM is your favourite, and why?

My favourite discipline of STEM is probably Science or Maths because they are very interconnected. I like that they require your brain to work overtime and that you don’t have to worry about anything else whilst doing them. The formulas are a life saver!

Did you have a female role model growing up? 

My Great Nanna has always inspired me. She was always known as kind and caring. When she was in her 70s, she first learnt how to swim. It probably seems weird how a simple thing like learning how to swim inspired me, but I learnt that it is never too late to learn something new, no matter your age.

Any people in STEM that you admire, or any STEM achievements that inspire you? Why?

Dr Ameliah Scott, a flying vet that treats animals in rural areas and Dr Aleen Cust, who was the first recognised female veterinary surgeon. I admire these women because no matter their location or gender they dedicated themselves to doing something they loved.

What are your hobbies or passions outside of STEM?

I play AFL, enjoy travelling and reading. A passion of mine is looking after the orphan lambs each year on our farm.

What project or STEM exploration did you work on with your STEM Coach?

I worked on the link between the Earth’s magnetic field, auroras and whales’ breachings.

What were the benefits that you found in being mentored by your STEM Coach?

I benefited from being mentored as I had someone to practice my public speaking to and was able to get the one-on-one help I needed with no other distractions.

Would you recommend the Curious Minds program, and what are the highlights of doing the program?

Yes, being able to extend myself into subjects I wasn’t able to try at school was a highlight. It is also a great opportunity for students in rural communities who don’t have the funding to do the experiments we did.

 

Now let’s hear from Heidi Allen, Georgia’s STEM Coach from the 2025-25 program.

Heidi recently shared this inspiring testimonial, “Each time I have participated as a Curious Minds coach has been rewarding and a very fun experience! I strongly encourage the wonderful women in STEM within my network to get involved in this initiative that connects women in STEM with bright young minds. It really is making a difference.”

What is your background in STEM education & career?

I have a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and am currently enrolled in a PhD at the University of Melbourne. For the past 17 years, I’ve been part of the Geological Survey of Western Australia. I started as a Geologist then stepped to a Senior Geologist and now am exploring ancient life in rocks of our state as a Palaeontologist. I’ve worked on many, large multidisciplinary geoscience projects across the state, including in some of the most remote corners of Western Australia, places so off the beaten track that most people don’t even know they exist!

What are you doing now, and what does this involve?

I currently work as a Palaeontologist, where I get to uncover the story of life on Earth one rock at a time. My job is to trace the changing biosphere through deep time, using the ancient rocks of Western Australia as my guide. I research and describe some of the oldest evidence of life on the planet (think billions of years old!)

My work feeds into the Geological Survey of Western Australia’s broader mission: delivering geoscience data and services that support the responsible use of the state’s natural resources. No two days are the same – my role is dynamic, full of discovery, and always a bit of fun! I also get to collaborate with a wide range of geoscience experts, which makes every project even more exciting.

Did you have a female role model growing up? Or someone who encouraged you to pursue STEM?

Kelsie, now the Program Director of Curious Minds, was actually one of my lecturers during my undergraduate studies at Macquarie University, and what an inspiring role model she was! Until I got to university, it had never even crossed my mind that I might be a scientist. There weren’t many girls in my geoscience classes, but the few of us who were there have all gone on to build careers in the field. In fact, one of my former classmates is now a colleague of mine at the Geological Survey of Western Australia!

Kelsie wasn’t just an excellent teacher, she had this warm, encouraging presence that made it easy to get involved and stay engaged. I especially remember her leading local field trips with her young kids tagging along. It was eye-opening and empowering to see someone successfully blending science, family, AND adventure. Those experiences were formative for me, helping me realise that I could build a career in geoscience and live the full and balanced life I wanted.

Describe the STEM exploration your student worked on and why they chose this project.

Georgia worked on a project researching Earth’s magnetic field. She has a keen curiosity about a wide range of scientific topics, from sky gazing to animal husbandry and marine life. While exploring various questions, we discovered an intriguing connection between cetacean navigation and auroras. Both phenomena are influenced by Earth’s geomagnetic field: auroras result from solar particles interacting with this field, creating stunning light displays, while cetaceans, such as whales and dolphins, may use geomagnetic cues for navigation. This unexpected link was exciting for Georgia to investigate.

Throughout the program, we also delved into the challenges of scientific misinformation on social media. Georgia is interested in exploring ways to present factual information in these formats, to counteract the spread of false or misleading content.

Why did you want to become a STEM Coach, and what is an element of the program you’ve enjoyed?

I’ve had a wonderful experience with Curious Minds, I see being a coach as a meaningful way to give back. It also has a very personal connection for me, as Kelsie was a role model of mine! I loved that each of my students have approached the program in very different ways and working with such inspiring, bright young minds has been incredibly rewarding. I particularly enjoyed receiving the program props and the super fun online games included in the session plans—they add an extra layer of excitement to the experience!

What do you think about the current state of STEM in Australia as a whole?

Working with these young people gives me great confidence that the future of STEM in Australia is bright. I feel incredibly fortunate to have a rewarding career as a STEM professional, and I hope that by engaging with students at this age, they can envision themselves as scientists too.

Do you think Curious Minds has a positive impact on the future of STEM?

Absolutely! I think the Curious Minds program does a fantastic job of connecting STEM professionals with young girls during their formative years. The STEM interest project is a great way for students to build confidence in a STEM field and doing this in such a fun and enjoyable way is key to the success of this program.

 

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Thank you Georgia and Heidi for sharing your experiences, and inspiring students and STEM Coaches who will take part in future Curious Minds – girls in STEM programs!