A HUGE thank you to all of the amazing female mentors, judges, and industry partners who contributed to The Orbispace Initiative in 2022. For those of you who could not join us last year, we'd love to re-connect for the upcoming program. Each year, more than 100 industry leaders play a part in designing and delivering our program. Thanks to this powerful ecosystem, TOI was a truly life changing experience for so many young women and educators across the state, as well as being a valuable opportunity for leaders in industry to build a relationship with the next generation of female talent. Across two terms of learning and two hands-on events in industry, there were many highlights. This newsletter is about sharing some of these!
Be sure to view the FULL newsletter by clicking the 'view in browser' URL / WIX link at the top or bottom of this email page (you can also share the link). |
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The state of STEM gender equity in 2022 Australian Government STEM Equity Monitor Girls’ confidence in STEM subjects is lower than boys, and falls as they get older.
Women only make up 36% of enrolments in university STEM courses, and just 16% of enrolments in vocational STEM courses.
Women only make up 27% of the workforce across all STEM industries, a 1 percentage point drop from 2020.
23% of senior management and 8% of CEOs in STEM-qualified industries are women. On average, women still earn 18% less than men across all STEM industries. |
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How TOI moved the needle 90% of students reported uplift in these
target areas: ✔️ Confidence ✔️ Communication skills ✔️ Ability to identify female innovators and companies in the innovation sectors ✔️ Knowledge of technical skills, digital tools, and pitching
✔️ Interest in STEM and desire to choose STEM electives in school
By completing the TOI program students developed skills across 30+ curriculum links for stage 4 ACARA content outcomes, and more than 40+ links to the 7 General Capabilities. They leveraged a wide range of cutting edge software tools from industry for design, collaboration, and modelling, along with business and problem solving frameworks from world class MBA programs. |
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–Thank you to Maitland Grossmann High School for sharing with us this wonderful video that their students made |
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“Not once have I ever considered this (STEM) as a future for myself, but this program has made me start to really understand myself. It has been the highlight of my year! I feel like others are noticing my skills and abilities, and I cannot wait to use them. Please continue this program, I want others to be helped as much as I have been." "I now understand more about the STEM industries, and what they do for the world. TOI has changed my perspective on careers in this." "Because of TOI I have built new connections, with mentors, and in my school. I've collaborated with people in a team I normally wouldn't."
"TOI has given me an understanding of how to start a business and pitch an innovation." "The female innovators we met with gave me that step of confidence into the journey of STEM. Their amazing pep talks and tips... I just admired all of them so much."
"TOI has given me negotiation skills. I know my strengths and can use them to my advantage."
"TOI has helped me feel confident enough to voice my opinions, express creative ideas, and speak in front of others. It has also improved my work ethic." Student feedback from the 2022 cohort |
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Lead Program Scientist at NASA HQ (USA)–
On a 'mission to touch the sun'
To launch the 2022 program and introduce students to an inspiring woman in STEM. TOI schools interviewed Dr Lika Guhathakurta to learn more about her journey into industry. |
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Event One: The Future of Female Leadership Forum |
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The highlight of Term 3 was a day at the Sydney Startup Hub, home to the highest density startup space in the southern hemisphere, supported by the state government’s Investment NSW and housing our accelerator partner, Tank Stream Labs. |
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This day encompassed hands-on experiences with industry experts, and a tour of the hub, where Tank Stream Labs showed students what the future of work looks like– podcasting studios, AR/VR green rooms, and breakout spaces for creativity and brainstorming. |
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At the centre of the event was a speed networking lunch with female mentors, drawn from some of the most impressive business and STEM leaders in the country. Speakers, Jan Mason, CEO of Quest Payment Systems, and Kim Graham-Nye, Co-CEO & Co-Founder of gDiapers, spoke on sustainability, and Julie Demsey led growth mindset coaching. |
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Technical workshops such as UX/UI with Ananda Vasudevan (Senior Designer @ WooliesX), and business modelling with Audrey Gan (Engineer and Consultant @ Deloitte), helped introduce students to new technical skillsets and tools. Special thanks to Microsoft who sponsored these sessions, making laptops available for all of the students. |
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–An engineering makerspace: students explored design thinking processes of 'iteration' with Alexandra Millward (Educator) |
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“I absolutely loved being a female mentor to a program of 200 grade 8 female students from a variety of schools in NSW, including regional communities. We spoke about STEM learning, entrepreneurship, innovation, and what it is like in the working world. . . I found these 13-14 year old girls so inquisitive, curious, intelligent, confident and fun! I wish I had a program like this when I was growing up!!” Female Industry Mentor - Lucy Lin (Head of Marketing / Innovation, AI & Blockchain / Advisory Board Member / Diversity & Inclusion / Speaker & Writer) |
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Check out our video from the day! |
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–Kim Graham-Nye, Co-CEO & Co-Founder of gDiapers, presenting on sustainable innovation and her journey as a founder |
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Event Two: Pitch for the Planet |
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The end of Term 4 culminated in the ‘Pitch for the Planet’ competition, where teams from the participating schools competed to impress real VCs (investors), successful startup Founders, and sustainability experts. Students pitched solutions to a real world sustainability problem in the Indian agricultural sphere. They were able to hear from key ministers and leading women in STEM, in particular Professor Veena Sahajwalla, UNSW Professor and Director of the Sustainable Materials Research & Technology and 2021 NSW Australian of the Year, Leanne Kemp, Founder and CEO of Everledger and co-chair of The World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Manufacturing, The Hon. Sarah Mitchell, Minister for Education and Early Learning and The Hon. Damien Tudehope, Minister for Finance and Employee Relations. |
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Many thanks to our judges: Lynda Coker (Entrepreneur In Residence at 1835i, Advisor to Seed Space Venture Capital, and Committee Member for Industry Innovation and Science Australia), Anne-Marie Elias (UTS Fellow Innovation and Entrepreneurship, & Venture Partner at Significant VC), Kara Frederick (Managing Partner at Tiger Financial Group), Kate Madden (Investor at OneVentures), Neil McVeigh (Co-Founder at Greener), Liam Millward (CEO & Co-Founder at Instant), Meg Panazzo (Senior Consultant and STEM Ambassador Science and Technology Australia), Sian Priest (General Manager Community & Communications at Cicada Innovations), Daniel Smith (COO Instant), Sharon Swift (Manager at UNSW Digital Futures Institute), Sue Hogan (Investor / CEO at Birchtree Foundation), Robin Goldberg (Treasurer Minerva University) and Charmaine Tham (COO Deliver In Person). |
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Students presented thoughtful solutions which leveraged insights from India sustainability expert, Vinod Subramanima, who is on the ground in Kerala. Our impressive judges on the day were unanimous in their praise for all the teams who participated, several remarking that the quality of the pitches and the polish of the delivery surpassed some of the real life pitches they evaluate on an everyday basis from adults who are active in the innovation space. Thank you to Quest Payment Systems and One Ventures who sponsored the competition, and to our partners at Tank Stream Labs who hosted us again. |
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Congratulations to the grand finalists, Cabramatta High School, Maitland Grossmann High School (two teams!), Ravenswood School for Girls, St John Bosco College Engadine, St Ursula's College Kingsgrove and Tangara School for Girls. The winners, Ravenswood School for Girls and St Ursula's College Kingsgrove presented outstanding pitches, the former proposing ‘Eco-Crate’, reusable, insulated food boxes to prevent food waste, and the latter, the repurposing of solar panels for their project ‘Insolar’.
What a way to wrap up such an amazing year! |
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–Professor Veena Sahajwalla, 2021 NSW Australian of the Year and UNSW Professor and Director of the Sustainable Materials Research & Technology, sharing with students about her recent research and development projects to kick off the day! |
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–Leanne Kemp Founder of Everledger, leading day two with a discussion around emerging technologies like blockchain. |
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–Students received participation and finalist certificates with their micro credentials, while the two winning teams also took home trophies for their school and a $1000 cash prize each. |
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“The TOI program fits perfectly with our school learning framework. It aims to foster collaboration, confidence, curiosity, and problem solving. It gives teachers an opportunity to work in partnership with students and demonstrate a love of learning, and a willingness to make mistakes and overcome challenges. It also enables students and teachers to apply knowledge and skills to other areas of teaching and learning... TOI is unique as it provides students with a first hand experience of the startup industry and connects them with industry professionals. This authentic context allows students to see where their learning is useful in the real world." Teacher Mentor Lauren K - Mt St Joseph College |
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Keep an eye out for the second event video coming soon! |
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Reaching Students in Regional Communities
This year TOI partnered up with The Department of Education SISP Program to welcome students from high impact locations and communities. Here's how it was covered in the media: |
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“Proud is an understatement. TLSC Tumbi Umbi Campus girls presented two pitches for the planet, focusing on agricultural sustainability in India. Hosted by TOI at the Sydney Start Up Hub, these inspirational girls have built confidence and understanding of how to pitch innovative ideas in a shark tank approach. Meeting the Honourable Sarah Mitchell was definitely a highlight today! Thank you Dr Scott Sleap for the opportunity and we’re looking forward to to tackling the next shark tank challenge in 2023!" Nikyetta Pencheff, STEM Project Officer - Central Coast Academy of STEM Excellence at NSW Department of Education |
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Thank you to our sponsors
Who make it possible for us to open doors for the next generation of female innovators. |
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Thank you to our technical partners
Rich Dreams is a safe platform for students to showcase their success journey in the program, build connections, develop their professional profiles, and work together toward achieving their dreams. Thank you to Rich Dreams for sponsoring access to their software for our schools. |
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2023 NSW Department of Education Grant |
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We are thrilled to share that TOI has received a new grant from the NSW Department of Education, to fund enrolments and travel for 10 additional schools in Regional NSW– from low socio-economic communities, also with the goal of prioritising First Nations students. This grant is an exciting step in helping us to lay the foundations for TOI's expansion into the communities where we can have the greatest impact. This is, however, competitive funding, meaning that the number of applications we receive will be greater than the number of government funded places we can offer. |
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This year the UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute will be sponsoring the TOI Pitch for the Planet Competition. As partners for this capstone event, UNSW will provide the case study challenge, supporting students in their exploration of sustainability, and sustainable innovations. |
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TOI is built through the philanthropy and hard work of our community of passionate change makers, who believe that the future is female. They say it takes a village to raise a child– this is the case for the next generation of female innovators. Every year, more than 100 women in industry contribute as volunteers, building and delivering the TOI program. TOI is now oversubscribed, and we need your help to reach more schools in the most high impact communities. Your support is helping us rollout TOI’s comprehensive six month curriculum to girls and teachers across NSW, along with making scholarships available to First Nations students, those in regional / rural areas, and students from low socio-economic communities (in partnership with the NSW Department of Education). As well as expanding our team, we have an ever growing need to assist students with access to laptops, travel and accommodation (let us know if you can partner with us for any of these needs!). With your help, we are increasing female participation in STEM, and accelerating a new generation of female leadership, and talent. 90% of students who complete TOI report a boost in their confidence, communication skills, digital literacy, interest in choosing STEM subjects and engaging with STEM fields of work and learning. Together, we're forging new pathways for young women into industry, supported by cutting edge educational opportunities and powerful networks of female mentors and advocates. |
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On behalf of The Orbispace Initiative Team, we thank everyone for their amazing support and commitment to the 2022 cohort, we couldn't do this without you. We hope you have enjoyed this update, and can see first hand how your input is transforming education, and accelerating the next generation of female innovators. We're looking forward to seeing you all in 2023.
P.s we have a video for the 2022 Pitch for the Planet coming out soon!
Anna-Grace Millward (Founder) and Agnes Kang (CEO)
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–TOI is an ACNC registered charity. Our program has been built and delivered by people who volunteer in support of women. Special thanks to our board members, as well as the education consultants who helped build the program such as Margaret Shepherd, President of the Australian Science Teachers Association, and Felicity Conneely, Education Advisor. |
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Follow us on Instagram @orbispace |
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