STEMming the gap

Since 2023, Monadelphous has partnered with HunterWISE and the University of Newcastle to support the participation of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

HunterWISE is dedicated to enhancing gender diversity in STEM in Newcastle and the Hunter region via outreach, scholarship programs and the HunterWISE network, and is aligned to Monadelphous’ Gender Diversity and Inclusion Plan, connecting women in our workforce through networking and mentoring opportunities, as well as encouraging female participation in STEM.

As part of their in-school outreach, students are tasked with identifying an issue in their community and apply STEM skills to develop a solution. Some of the projects students have worked on include:

• Developing a durable heat-resistant material that can be used to insulate houses in hot or fire-prone areas.
• A website to make participation in sports more affordable and accessible for young people.
• Designing a robot which combs the beach for plastics and rubbish.
• Developing an app to prevent social media addiction, aims to get individuals
• off their phones with incentives for the lowest screentime.
• Designing a community space for individuals to be creative using
• graffiti to combat high levels of vandalism.

These inspiring projects reflect the creativity and problem-solving abilities of the next generation of STEM leaders. By supporting initiatives like HunterWISE, Monadelphous continues to champion gender diversity and inclusion in meaningful, practical ways. This partnership aligns with our GD&I Plan and helps build a stronger, more inclusive future by empowering young women to pursue STEM pathways, connect with mentors, and contribute innovative solutions to real-world challenges.