Bracken Ridge State High School student Sakura Riches has her sights set on a future in science and she is helping lead the way for other girls.
Sakura has been selected to take part in the STEM Girl Power program, which encourages Year 10 girls from across Queensland to participate in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Only 60 students from across the state are selected for the year-long program, which includes several events and workshops and a week-long camp.
The program, run by Education Queensland, is now in its tenth year.
Empowering Future Scientists
“I’m super excited, I think it will be a great opportunity for me, and I want to be able to get into science as a career later on, so this will be really helpful,” Sakura said.
“I’m very interested in science, it’s a subject I really enjoy, and after school I’d like to get into something in the biology space.”
Sakura added she was keen to see a greater representation of women in STEM areas.
“Having this kind of program really empowers people to be able to say ‘yes, you can do this’,” she said.
Angela Gilbert, head of department technologies at Bracken Ridge State High School, said Sakura was the perfect candidate for the program.
“She is very diligent in her studies, she always applies herself 150 per cent,” Ms Gilbert said.
“I admire the way she takes every opportunity that comes her way.
“STEM is a growth industry, it’s going to play a major part in all our lives, and for young people it’s a career pathway.
“And we need 50/50 representation. As a school, we want to encourage students to be taking STEM subjects.
“I also want to grow the STEM programs here at Bracken Ridge High School.”
Participants in the program get the chance to hear from leading experts and role models about STEM careers.
Sakura said she was “happy to put in the extra time” for the program.
“It’s something I really want to do,” she said. “Ms Gilbert has helped a lot, she’s really empowered me to do this, it’s very cool.”
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