About
Curious Minds empowers girls who are passionate, high performers in STEM to explore their full potential.
Through a six-month hands-on extension and mentoring program, we combine two residential camps and mentoring program for girls in years 9 and 10 who have limited opportunities because of where they live, including regional and remote locations, their socio-economic background, and/or their indigenous status.
Curious Minds is a program that first started in 2015, with funding received from the Federal Government. Since then, the program has been delivered to more than 650 students across Australia and helped to create a bond between students and their STEM Mentors.
This program was created with the intention of providing opportunities to students who live in remote locations with the ability, knowledge and power to dive into the world of STEM.
In a fun and supportive environment, the girls will grow in confidence and ability whilst expanding their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and their scientific networks.
They will also make new friends, be exposed to outstanding role models, practise new skills, and deepen their understanding of what their future may hold in the fields of STEM.
Do you have a curious mind?
Applications close for the 2023-24 program on Friday 29 September 2023!
If you’re a girl in year 9 or 10 who is passionate about STEM subjects, or if you’re a female professional working in the STEM industry, you can express your interest for the 2023-24 Curious Minds program using the buttons below.
A message from Cathy Foley, our Patron and Australia’s Chief Scientist
“Curious Minds’ hands-on focus allows girls to explore their passion for STEM in a supportive environment. I’ve been involved with it since it began, and am honoured to be the patron. I look forward to continuing to support the development of the next generation of female scientists.”
— Dr Cathy Foley, Australia’s Chief Scientist
FAQs
- are in Year 9 or 10 in 2023
- are highly capable, hard-working and apply themselves
- are curious—they have a love of learning
- have potential but may lack confidence in their own abilities
- are willing to engage
- have the maturity to participate in a four-day online and residential program, and maintain an on-going commitment to a 6-month STEM coaching program.
- are an Australian Citizen or permanent resident
Curious Minds is a six-month program that combines two residential camps and a mentoring program.
The residential camps enable the girls to explore all aspects of science, technology, engineering and maths through guest lectures, interactive sessions, practicals and field trips.
The coach mentoring program matches each student with a female STEM coach based on a mutual STEM area of interest and, where possible, geographical location. Keeping in regular contact, the coach and student will work on personal goals for the student. This might include discussing study options and career pathways, undertaking further extension work with support from their mentor, developing ideas based on learnings from the camp or working on a project.
Students are required to commit to both virtual and residential camps, and to having a phone or video call with their coach every three weeks between camps.
Summer camp
Combined: Monday 4 through to Friday 8 December 2023
Winter camp
West: Monday 1 July through to Saturday 6 July 2024
East: Monday 8 through to Saturday 13 July 2024
The 2023/2024 Curious Minds program will be delivered using a hybrid model. The summer camps will be held virtually and the winter camps will be held face to face.
The program is particularly targeted towards female students in years 9 and 10 who have limited opportunities because of where they live, including regional and remote locations, their socio-economic background, and/or their Indigenous status.
If you’re a student who would like to express interest in participating in Curious Minds, fill in your details here.
Participants are asked for a financial contribution of $200 to help meet costs incurred for delivering the program. A fee waiver is available for all applicants unable to make this contribution as part of the application process.
The program was developed in response to the Australian Government’s 2014 Restoring the focus on STEM initiative, which aims to support improved science, mathematics and digital technology education in schools and promote improved results in international tests and increased take-up of STEM subjects at the post-secondary level.
The Australian Mathematics Trust (AMT) and Australian Science Innovations (ASI) jointly deliver the Curious Minds program, which is supported by the Australian National University.
Girls from rural, disadvantaged or Indigenous backgrounds will be particularly targeted.
