By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Keysborough College joined more than 1400 female students on the rides of Luna Park as part of a pioneering science and maths event.
Taking outdoor learning to extremes, the students aged 10-16 got a first-hand experience of gravity, laws of physics, circular motion and kinetic energy at the inaugural AIR4 initiative.
The historic theme park in St Kilda was divided up into science, technology, engineering, maths and technology showcase zones.
As well as learning about the physics behind the rides, the students helped design energy-efficient carousels, far-flying paper planes as well as learning about driverless cars.
They also watched a cutting-edge Air Force animation Jasper designed to spark interest in aviation.
They were joined by 115 female mentors from Defence Science and Technology, Royal Australian Air Force, RMIT and the Defence Science Institute.
AIR4 stands for Aiming for Impactful Results.
Established this year, it is a four-year program encouraging more students and more gender diversity in STEM-based careers.
Women represent only 16 percent of STEM graduates in Australia.
“At every stage of the education system, Australia loses female talent in the fields of science, maths, engineering and technology, despite no innate cognitive gender differences,” AIR4 founder Professor Regina Crameri said.
“AIR4 Life is an opportunity to positively change the status quo by giving young women the chance to be inspired by interactive and engaging activities.”
The program is funded by the Federal Department of Defence, Science and Technology and Royal Australian Airforce.
