Get to know Curious Minds alum, Sophie, who participated in the program in 2022-23 and has recently been awarded some amazing achievements!

As Sophie was growing up, her mother was her biggest female STEM role model. Having been the only female in her course when studying mechanical engineering at university, Sophie learnt from her that “no matter who you are or where you come from, STEM is accessible to everyone.” Pursuing STEM was encouraged by both her Mum and Dad and Sophie discovered early on this was her passion; purchasing Meccano sets to innovate, create, and validate her own designs rather than what was in the instruction manual.

As a young girl, the cosmos captured Sophie’s imagination. Waking up early with her parents to watch eclipses, meteorite showers and stream rocket launches, she was eager to learn about the universe. “Marvelling at how mechanical ingenuity propelled humanity to the stars sparked [her] passion for engineering.”

The disadvantages Sophie faced growing up in a rural community, such as inaccessibility to basic technologies (e.g. stable internet connection) has only inspired Sophie to initiate meaningful societal change, specifically for these communities. She is particularly interested in the development of CubeSats, which are driving the commercialisation of space and have the potential to connect rural communities with the world. She hopes to bridge the socio-economic gap between rural and metropolitan communities through using novel engineering approaches to improve the affordability and accessibility of satellite connection technologies.

In 2022-23, Sophie participated in our Curious Minds Program. Her STEM exploration project delved into the algebraic processes of artificial neural networks, essentially learning about how AI robots could only respond to certain situations that weren’t explicitly included in their programming.

The opportunity to connect with like-minded females from across the nation all of which were driven, passionate and inspired to pursue STEM, was one of Sophie’s highlights of the program. She believes such a diverse group created a “melting pot of ideas,” pushing her to think from a different perspective. Additionally, Sophie also enjoyed participating in the Supercharge sessions as they exposed her to areas of STEM which cannot be covered in the classroom and visiting the Australian Space Discovery Centre and viewing the exhibit about hydroponics in space. Sophie is still in touch with her best friend Mischa who she met through the program!

Left: Sophie investigating the Fluid Physics Laboratory at the International Science School.

Right: Sophie concentrating during the engineering supercharge session at Curious Minds camp.

Most importantly, Curious Minds taught her to “continuously ask questions, because [it] provides a significant learning opportunity.” However, the program also encouraged her to continue exploring the possibilities within STEM, evident in her choice to study every possible STEM subject available at her school in Years 11-12 (Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematical Methods). Sophie’s involvement with STEM programs doesn’t stop here, she went on to participate in the CyberTaipan Young Women’s Career Tour and the National Youth Science Forum. Additionally, she was one of 90 students worldwide to receive a scholarship to attend the International Science School, a two-week residential program at the University of Sydney.

Adding to her outstanding achievements, Sophie was recently one of 15 students from Queensland to be awarded the Peter Doherty Outstanding Senior STEM Student Award which recognises her outstanding and innovative contribution to STEM education in Queensland. She has also undertaken work experience at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries analysing fall armyworm damage in maize fields. Here she learnt how to correctly dose chemicals and assisted an agricultural irrigation company in constructing an automated surface irrigation system.

Left: Sophie proudly displays her Peter Doherty Outstanding Senior STEM Student Award at the prestigious ‘Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education’ ceremony.

Right: Sophie experiencing the Moon’s gravity at the Sports Science Faculty at the University of Canberra.

Outside of STEM, Sophie has many passions. From achieving her 1st Black Belt in Hwa Rang Do, and her World Kukkiwon Association Accreditation to instruct taekwondo, to achieving all three levels of the Duke of Edinburgh Award (Bronze, Silver, Gold), in which she completed over 91 hours of voluntary service as an instructor at the Australian Air Force Cadets and being awarded the Best Instructor’s Award at her local squadron in 2024!

Sophie is currently completing her Year 12 studies and intends on studying aeronautical engineering at university. Sophie’s goal is to obtain a graduate position, leading an aerospace research and development team, which her Curious Minds mentor, Nicola, was “instrumental in formulating” by demonstrating that “women can achieve management and leadership positions in STEM.”

Sophie believes Curious Minds bridges the gender divide in STEM by showing young women that STEM transcends the gender gap and that geographic and social isolation, particularly experienced in rural locations, are not barriers to pursuing a STEM career. She has provided the following advice to anyone thinking about applying to be a student with the Curious Minds Program:

“Do it! Even if you have only a remote interest in STEM, apply for the Curious Minds Program, because it will pique your curiosity and expose you to diverse possibilities. We live in an exciting world where the field of STEM is continuously evolving. The best steps you can take to contribute to this exciting phase are to learn, apply your skills and absorb knowledge. The Curious Minds Program provides the perfect opportunity to do this, and just like it did for me, it may even change the direction of your life.”

Left: “Dr Karl (my favourite science communicator!) and I.”

Right: Sophie in the wind tunnel at the University of Sydney.

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Thank you Sophie for sharing your remarkable story and inspiring everyone with your determination and positive attitude! Congratulations to Ayr State High School, and thank you to Sophie’s teacher, Robert Scalia, HOD Mathematics/ Science, for sharing Sophie’s achievements with us.