Year 9 Galen student Imogen Quilty has been selected to attend the ‘Girl Power in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine) Pilot Program’. The STEMM program is a joint initiative between the Melbourne School of Engineering and the Melbourne School of Information.

Running over 3 years, the STEMM program will offer Imogen some amazing opportunities at the University of Melbourne. In the first stage of this program, Imogen will be involved in an on-campus camp for female year 9 students, during the upcoming July school holidays. The camp will consist of presentations by academics, Panel discussions with industry and Hands on, interactive workshops.

“I am very excited to be participating in this amazing opportunity, I am sure I will benefit greatly from it, and can’t wait to head to the University of Melbourne for the STEMM Camp, over the holidays,” said Imogen.

 With only 30 students selected across the State to participate, the competition was extremely strong. Four students from Galen applied for the program, Imogen Quilty, Sarah Dellicastelli, Chloe Hutchinson and Madalynn Baumanis. Each student was required to write an application letter, which was supported by an additional letter of recommendation by Galen Principal, Mr Bernard Neal.

Mr Neal was very impressed by the quality of each of the application letters, and realised it would be hard to choose between the four girls. “Each of the girls brought something unique to their application, and each one of them was a very worthy applicant.”

Imogen’s application caught the eye of the University of Melbourne Selection Panel, being one of the 30 students from across the state to be offered a place in the program.

During the second stage of the STEMM program, Imogen will be provided with a work experience opportunity in year 10 where they will be placed at the University of Melbourne and the workplaces of their industry sponsors.

In the final two years of high school, the STEMM program students will be supported through ongoing academic and industry mentorship, peer mentor support and special events on campus to further strengthen their interest and to help ease and assist the transition to university life.”