STEM CORNER: Highlighting Successful Women in STEM
On Wednesday 29 November, two former students of MSCW returned to the College to speak about their success in fields of STEM after school. Sophie Woodbury (graduate of the 2015 MSCW cohort) and Charlotte Stanwix (graduate of 2018) were generous enough to speak on a panel during our lunchtime Maths Club and then deliver presentations to Year 12 Advanced Mathematics classes. The Maths Club panel was hosted brilliantly by our helpers, Aisling O’Connor (Year 10), Harriet O’Connor (Year 9) and Annabelle Piggott Silva (Year 7), who expertly and confidently chaired the event and asked their own questions of Charlotte and Sophie.
With Sophie’s success in high school, receiving an outstanding ATAR, and then going on to complete a double degree in Actuarial Studies and Chemistry at the University of New South Wales, she was able to share insight into what it means to defy the odds and be successful as a woman in STEM. She was also able to introduce students to what an actuary is and how important it is to use skills from school in her work. Additionally, Sophie spoke about studying abroad in Ireland and shared her experiences and advice for students about how to get the most out of their studies to be not only successful, but enjoying the journey. She highlighted the concern from The Actuaries Institute of Australia that many high school students do not know much about the profession and are shying away from picking the higher levels of Mathematics that would give them access to a pathway into actuarial studies and similar careers. Her knowledge and experiences were found to be highly valuable to the students, who agreed that they did not know much about being an actuary before hearing from Sophie!
In addition, Charlotte was able to speak to her experience as a former House Captain of Chanel and her journey to working in metallurgy in chemical engineering. Charlotte is currently working as an intern at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) in the minerals department and will be spending the summer as an intern for Santos in Adelaide. She also completed a double degree at the University of New South Wales, but in the areas of Chemical Engineering and Commerce. Charlotte credits her work ethic that has brought her success in a male-dominated field to the foundations she built during her time at MSCW and the teachers that supported her during her high school studies. It was clear that Charlotte felt immense gratitude for her experiences at MSCW and wanted to repay the favour to future students.
Both of our visiting alumni provided wise and meaningful advice to the students about trusting their intuition, believing in themselves and persevering even when Maths and Science learning can feel overwhelming and difficult. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome these students back again in the future so they may continue to share their insights!
Miss Emma Pracey, Instructional Specialist
