Science Week at St Mary's College: Women in STEM Breakfast

St Mary's College's Science Week activities culminated with our annual Women in STEM Breakfast on Friday 21 August. Supported by a National Science Week Grant, the event brought together more than 100 guests, including students, staff, parents, old scholars, and STEM industry representatives. We were also delighted to welcome the Honourable Lucy Hood MP, State Member for Adelaide and Minister for Education and the Honourable Heidi Girolamo MLC, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council and Shadow Minister for Education.

We were fortunate to have Teresa Janowski, engineer and founder of STEM Fast Track, join us as MC for the morning. Teresa brought warmth, humour and enthusiasm to the event, creating an engaging and energetic atmosphere from the outset. Her extensive experience in STEM, combined with her passion for supporting young people to pursue STEM pathways, was evident throughout the morning. Teresa also highlighted the importance of building connections and networks, encouraging students to recognise that relationships and collaboration can be just as important as knowledge and skills in developing a successful STEM career.

The purpose of the breakfast is to bring together students, old scholars and industry professionals for a morning of inspiration, connection and exploration. The event featured two panel discussions with guests from a diverse range of STEM professions including engineering, paramedicine, medical technology and defence, pharmacy, space science and psychology. Panellists shared insights into their career journeys, the pathways that led them to their current roles and the challenges and opportunities they had encountered along the way. They also spoke about the importance of resilience, curiosity, adaptability and lifelong learning.

Hearing such a diverse range of experiences reinforced an important message for our students: there is no single pathway into STEM, and a STEM career can take many different forms. For some students, the conversations provided insights into careers they had never previously considered, while for others, they offered reassurance that their own interests and passions could lead to exciting opportunities in the future.

Multiple networking sessions were interspersed throughout the morning, giving students the opportunity to speak directly with STEM professionals and their experiences and career pathways. These interactions provided students with relatable role models and helped them see the real-world applications of the science and mathematics they learn at school. By creating opportunities for students to ask questions, share ideas and build connections with people working across diverse STEM fields, the breakfast sought to challenge stereotypes, broaden perceptions of who can succeed in STEM and strengthen students' confidence and sense of belonging.

The highlight of the Women in STEM Breakfast was undoubtedly our keynote speaker, Flavia Tata Nardini, CEO and Founder of Fleet Space Technologies. A rocket scientist and former propulsion test engineer at the European Space Agency, Flavia is also the holder of two patents. She spoke about her lifelong fascination with space and how this passion ultimately contributed to the development and launch of Fleet Space’s LEO satellite constellation and its innovative exploration technologies.

Flavia offered students a fascinating insight into exploration, innovation and the application of advanced technology in extreme environments. However, it was perhaps her personal reflections that resonated most strongly. Despite her impressive achievements, Flavia spoke with warmth and humility about the importance of staying true to your passions, not being discouraged by setbacks and finding your people. Her message was a powerful reminder that successful STEM careers are not always linear and that curiosity, persistence and connection can play a significant role in shaping our futures.

For our students, one of the most valuable aspects of the morning was having the opportunity to move beyond simply hearing about STEM careers and instead engage directly with the people behind them. Whether speaking with a scientist, engineer, medical professional or industry representative, students were able to ask questions, hear personal stories and begin to imagine what their own future pathways might look like.

The Women in STEM Breakfast exemplifies St Mary’s College’s commitment to fostering confidence, curiosity, and ambition in young women, while celebrating the strength of our old scholar network and the power of connection. It provided students with an opportunity to build their understanding of the many possibilities available to them and to see themselves as future scientists, engineers, innovators, researchers and problem-solvers.

Ultimately, the Women in STEM Breakfast was about more than careers. It was about planting seeds of curiosity, possibility and confidence and helping young women recognise that their curiosity can take them in unexpected directions, that setbacks are part of the journey, and that there is a place for them in STEM. A question asked during a panel, a conversation with an old scholar or industry professional, or hearing a scientist share their journey may be the beginning of something that grows well beyond the morning itself. In the spirit of this year’s National Science Week theme, Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all, we hope these connections will nurture students’ curiosity, aspirations and confidence, encouraging them to explore where their passions might take them.

Emma Beukema
Science Learning Area Leader