Girls+ in Engineering (GiE) program
About the program
The Girls+ in Engineering (GiE) program inspires female students to take advantage of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) study and career pathways, focusing on areas of science where women are underrepresented.
Along with industry partners, GiE recognises the gender imbalance in science should be addressed from an early age. Since 2014, GiE has reached over 20,000 school students across WA, supported over 350 UWA Student Ambassadors, and collaborated with more than 300 industry volunteers.
Through hands-on school workshops, community events and industry partnerships, GiE supports the next generation and champions diversity in STEM.
2024 marked 10 Years since the program began in partnership with Rio Tinto. Since 2024, the program has grown into a leading initiative, creating meaningful opportunities for students, ambassadors and industry partners. You can read the program’s 10 Year impact report here: UWA Girls in Engineering - Celebrating 10 Years [PDF, 4.7MB]
We would like to thank our 2025 industry partners for supporting the Girls+ in Engineering program: Rio Tinto, Newmont and SLB.
School outreach
Under the GiE program, current UWA students and industry partners volunteer their time in-school as role models to talk to students in Years 7–12 about exciting engineering career options. Through a range of discipline-specific challenges, including environmental, mining and biomedical activities, students work collaboratively in teams to solve complex problems.
The GiE team hosts on-campus Discovery Days to showcase a circuit of engineering activities hosted by industry partners, academics and student societies. Keynote speakers and alumni share their stories and demonstrate the social impact engineering has in improving our world.
GiE student ambassador program
The GiE outreach program works with high school across WA to deliver hands on learning experiences to showcase diverse STEM study and pathways. The program aims to address barriers faced by women considering STEM, including a lack of role models.
Our GiE Student Ambassador program for current UWA students plays an integral role in addressing the gender imbalances in STEM in Australia by providing these role models. The program provides a cohort experience and support for women+ at UWA, and offers our students regional travel opportunities, industry site visits and networking, paid casual work, professional development, and volunteering hours recorded on your academic transcript.
Supporting women in STEM
UWA provides an unparalleled student experience. GiE is working together with WA high schools, university students and industry to lead the future of sustainable, innovative and equitable engineering Our team of professional staff, passionate and engaging engineers and engineering-in-training are championing diversity in STEM.
To find out more information, or to join our Student Ambassador program, contact gie@uwa.edu.au.
Schools we work with
2025 partner schools:
- Albany Senior High School
- Ballajura Community College
- Belmont City College
- Denmark Senior High School
- Duncraig Senior High School
- Governor Stirling Senior High School
- Harrisdale Senior High School
- Methodist Ladies College
- Mount Barker Community College
- North Albany Senior High School
- Penrhos College
- Perth College
- Presbyterian Ladies College
- Santa Maria College
- Shenton College
- St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls
- St Mary's Anglican Girls’ School
- Wanneroo Secondary College
- Willetton Senior High School
Meet our role models
Civil Engineer
Angelu Gu
Graduate Civil Engineer
Rio Tinto
"The hands-on aspects and teamwork involved in studying STEM made me realise I enjoyed working with different groups of people and coming together to find solutions."
Mechanical Engineer
Katelyn Martin
Graduate Maintenance Mechanical Engineer
Newmont
"...engineering... had the practical problem-solving I liked so much"
Field Engineer
Stephanie Cabrera Saldana
Field Engineer
SLB (United Kingdom Team)
"Engineering has always been interesting to me as it combines maths and science (my favourite school subjects) to solve real life problems and improve people’s living standards.”
News
Engineering change - 10 years of championing diversity in STEM
The University of Western Australia's Girls+ in Engineering program is celebrating a major milestone, marking 10 years of inspiring and empowering the next generation of women+ in STEM.
Read moreUWA's end of year events celebrate equity success
From empowering Year 9 high school students from regional WA to pursue their higher education dreams, to showcasing engineering and STEM activities to hundreds of Year 7 and 8 girls, the university is demonstrating its belief in embracing inclusivity in education.
Read moreA partnership for gender equity in STEM
In the dynamic realm of engineering, a world of possibilities beckons those with the vision and drive to shape the future, to tackle challenges head-on, and to leave an indelible mark on society
Read moreHedland High alumna Karla returns to inspire others
Hedland Senior High School graduate Karla Ivkovic has returned to her alma mater hoping to encourage a new generation of students to pursue higher education and dream big when it comes to careers in science and engineering.
Read moreEngineering students help inspire regional high schoolers to study STEM
Two of our Engineering students recently joined a diverse team on a tour of the Greater Southern region with a mission to inspire regional high school students to consider studying STEM.
Read moreGirls Explore a Future Career in Engineering
The visit was hosted by UWA Girls in Engineering Program, an outreach initiative designed to expose Years 7 to 10 students and their teachers to the world of engineering and science.
Read moreContact Girls+ in Engineering
To find out more about the GiE program, send an enquiry to:
