Creativity isn't just restricted to subjects like Music and Art; it is incredibly important in STEM. It is also about improving products and developing problem-solving capabilities, which are important skills for any STEM profession. On the 2, 9, and 16 May, we attended the UniSA STEM Girl's Academy Creative Challenge. The Creative Challenge consisted of a three-day workshop and an industry excursion in which we were able to put our creativity to the test. Over the course of this challenge, we learnt how to apply the Design Thinking framework and mindset to solve real-world problems posed by industry partners of UniSA. This was also an exciting opportunity to meet like-minded girls, develop our understanding of specific STEM topics, and enhance our critical thinking/communication skills by working with students from other schools and year levels. This workshop completely shifted my mindset towards STEM and now I am much more confident in my creative and problem-solving skills than I was before!

Isaia Kalaitsidis
9 White

The STEM Creative Challenge was an exciting opportunity to think creatively and problem-solve. I was part of the Orange Group, where I worked collaboratively with students from different schools to design a better weather buoy. On the first day we learned the basics of design thinking such as empathise, define, ideate, prototype and test. Engineers then from South Cott shared a hydraulic issue, and we brainstormed solutions using a mind map. On the second day, we explored problems with an existing weather buoy. With advice and guidance from the experts, my group worked together to create a new mind map and prototype, using craft materials to bring our ideas to life, one of the main focuses was improving the buoy’s communication system. This program was a great way to be creative and collaborate with new people in a fun and practical way.