{"id":5949,"date":"2025-08-29T15:15:24","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T05:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/spc-townsville\/?post_type=article&p=5949"},"modified":"2025-08-29T11:50:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T01:50:08","slug":"stemlikeapatsgirl-conference","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/spc-townsville\/article\/stemlikeapatsgirl-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"#STEMLIKEAPATSGIRL CONFERENCE"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our ninth annual #STEMLikeAPatsGirl Conference was a wonderful celebration of curiosity and innovation, bringing together more than 200 participants during Science Week. Students explored the exciting world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics through a range of hands-on workshops \u2013 from coding, forensic anatomy and allied health, to virtual reality, paramedics and rocket science.<\/p>\n

We extend our thanks to Guest Speaker, Dinosaur Palaeontologist Adele Pentland, for her fascinating insights into pterosaurs \u2013 the extraordinary flying reptiles. We are also grateful to Rummage Technical, The Marketing Factory and the Queensland Government Engaging Science Grants Program for their support in empowering girls in STEM and making this event possible.<\/p>\n

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YEAR 5 & 6 GIRLS EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF SPACE HABITATION IN #STEMLIKEAPATSGIRL WORKSHOP<\/strong><\/p>\n

As part of the STEM Like a Pats Girl introduction day, incoming Year 5 and 6 students engaged in a hands-on workshop that encouraged them to think like future space explorers. Using micro:bits, environmental sensors, technology tools, and robotics, the girls were challenged to design and test solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of human spaceflight and habitation beyond Earth.<\/p>\n

Tackling Real-World Space Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n

Students programmed micro:bits connected to CO\u2082 and temperature sensors, capturing real-time data to monitor environmental conditions\u2014an essential skill for sustainable living in space habitats where air quality and climate control are critical. They linked this learning to the reality of maintaining safe conditions on Mars or other planetary environments, gaining an understanding of how technology supports survival in extreme conditions.<\/p>\n

The girls also applied technology design tools to imagine and prototype monitoring systems for use in extraterrestrial settlements. This gave them a chance to see how digital technology translates into practical, problem-solving innovation for future space exploration.<\/p>\n

Robotic Exploration<\/strong><\/p>\n

The workshop culminated in a robotics challenge, where teams coded micro:bit\u2013enabled rovers to simulate Martian exploration. These vehicles were tasked with navigating terrain, collecting cargo, and delivering it to a base station. The race to complete the mission sparked creativity, persistence, and teamwork\u2014mirroring the challenges faced by astronauts and engineers working to advance human spaceflight.<\/p>\n

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(Photo: Hands-on STEM in action\u2014Chris from STEM Punks helps the students prepare for their Mars rover race.)<\/em><\/p>\n

A Stellar Guest: Dr Adele Pentland<\/strong><\/p>\n

The day was made even more special by the presence of Dr Adele Pentland, keynote speaker and distinguished vertebrate palaeontologist. Dr Pentland has described two of Australia\u2019s most complete pterosaurs\u2014Ferrodraco lentoni<\/em> and Haliskia peterseni<\/em>\u2014and her research has been featured globally in The New York Times<\/em>, National Geographic<\/em>, the BBC<\/em>, and The Washington Post<\/em>. She is also a passionate science communicator, reaching diverse audiences through her \u2018Pals in Palaeo\u2019 podcast and her STEM outreach in regional and remote communities.<\/p>\n

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(Photo: Inspiring future innovators: Dr Adele Pentland (in dress) with Mrs CJ Lancashire (to her left), combining research excellence and classroom leadership to support girls in STEM.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Building Futures in STEM and Space<\/strong><\/p>\n

By fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, this workshop prepared students to imagine and address the complex challenges of space exploration and sustainable habitation. Beyond the technology, the girls learned to:<\/p>\n