Curious Minds Students
Curious Minds needs girls who are passionate and have high potential in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
This exciting program will help you to explore your full potential, through an eight-month hands-on extension and mentoring program.
In this dynamic STEM education and exploration program, students will be given amazing opportunities, including attending residential and online camps, meeting experts in the industry, being matched and guided by a STEM Coach, finding inspiration from alumni, developing skills and gaining knowledge by completing a project, and connecting with like-minded peers.
The program is an amazing opportunity to make friends and connect with people who love STEM, whilst being mentored by a STEM expert who can guide you in your future STEM education and career!
Are you a student who'd like to participate in Curious Minds?
Participation is by invitation only, with invitations sent to students who performed strongly in one or more of the following:
- The Australian Mathematics Competition
- The Big Science Competition
- The Computational and Algorithmic Thinking Competition
- The Junior Science Olympiad Exam
Invitations are sent to students via their school. If you didn’t participate in one of these competitions or haven’t received an invitation, you may still be eligible to apply. If you’re interested, check the eligibility criteria and submit an EOI if you’re keen to participate.
FAQs
Curious Minds is open to young Australian women who:
- Are in Year 8 or 9 in 2026, and enrolled in an Australian school in the program period
- Attend a school with an Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage value of less than 1000 and/or resides in a rural, regional or remote area of Australia and/or identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
- Have demonstrated potential in one or more scientific subjects, including biology, chemistry, computer science/programming, earth science, engineering, mathematics or physics.
- Are able to commit to full participation in the program, including a 6-day residential camp and a virtual camp, and the STEM coaching program.
- Are highly capable, hard-working and apply themselves
- Are curious – they have a love of learning
- Are an Australian Citizen or permanent resident
Attendance is by invitation and only 120 places are available Australia-wide.
In this exciting, dynamic STEM education and exploration program, students will be given amazing opportunities and in turn must commit to:
- Attending a six-day face to face residential camp.
- Attending a four-day online camp.
- Connecting with their STEM Coach every 2-3 weeks in between camps.
- Exploring a STEM idea with your STEM Coach, with the aim of telling your STEM story at Winter Camp.
The program runs for eight months.
Note, students will be matched with a STEM Coach as part of the program.
Stay tuned for exciting updates!
The Curious Minds Program is delivered using a hybrid model with a camp and other program sessions will be online, and a residential camp held in person. We cover students from states across Australia in residential camps held in Canberra and Adelaide.
All travel and accommodation is organised and covered by the Curious Minds Program.
Participation is by invitation only, with invitations sent to students who performed strongly in one or more of the following:
- The Australian Mathematics Competition
- The Big Science Competition
- The Computational and Algorithmic Thinking Competition
- The Junior Science Olympiad Exam
Invitations are sent to students via their school.
If you didn’t participate in one of these competitions or haven’t received an invitation, you may still be eligible to apply. If you’re interested, check the eligibility criteria and submit an EOI form if you’re keen to participate.
The cost to attend Curious Minds in $200.
We arrange and pay for all your travel, meals and accommodation, as well as teaching materials, excursions, lab tours, and a party!
If the cost means you can’t come, tell us. We can help. [email protected]
Australian Government Department of Education funds the Curious Minds Program.
Australian Science Innovations proudly delivers the Curious Minds Program.
Australian Maths Trust provides support in identifying high-potential STEM students for the Curious Minds Program.
Australian National University is the Principal University Partner, Curious Minds East – girls in STEM.
Adelaide University is a University Partner of Curious Minds Program.
Aventa Solutions is a Curious Minds Program Sponsor.
Are you a student who'd like to participate in Curious Minds?
Most students are invited based on strong results in the informatics, maths, and science competitions delivered by the Australian Maths Trust and Australian Science Innovations, but you may still be eligible. Check the eligibility criteria and submit an EOI if you’re keen to participate.
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A Tayla-made future in scientific investigation
Tayla aims to leverage her innate interest in science and her problem-solving skills to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
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Get connected with Connect Events
Throughout the program, students engage in online Connect Events, a chance to catch up, learn and engage through guest lectures, interactive sessions & activities.
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A break from the ordinary: Curious Minds program nails down Jessie’s future
An amazing opportunity arose for one of our Curious Minds participants during Winter Camp in July, thanks to the support and connections of her mentor.
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The future looks bright with Curious Minds!
What happens when you get a bunch of energetic, smart, and curious students online with experts who love to share their passion for STEM?
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STEM Deep Dive with Gypsy & Jess
Let’s take a deep dive with Jess, a current participant in the 2023/ 2024 Curious Minds – Girls in STEM program, whom we caught up with recently. Her STEM Coach, Gypsy, is a Curious Minds Alumni, who was involved in the inaugural Curious Minds program in 2015/2016.
We need STEM Coaches!
Our Curious Minds students are matched, mentored and guided by a STEM Coach during the program. You could be a positive role model and inspire confidence in young women in STEM!
Stories from Alumni
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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.
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"The biggest highlights of the Curious Minds program for me were getting to meet girls my age who were interested in STEM too, talking to scientists from a wide range of careers and experiences, and getting to live in a large metropolitan city for the first time, as I'd spent most of my life living in regional North Queensland."
