Girls in Tech Expo – Empowering Young Innovators!
On Thursday 27 February, St Peter’s Girls’ School hosted its seventh annual Girls in Tech Expo, a full-day event designed to ignite curiosity, build confidence, and inspire tech ambition in young girls. Welcoming over 250 Years 5 and 6 students, including those from seven visiting primary schools, the Expo provided an immersive, hands-on experience where girls engaged with cutting-edge technology, met industry leaders, and envisioned themselves as the innovators of tomorrow.
For many students, this was a chance to try something new, step outside their comfort zones, and discover their capabilities.
Why Girls in Tech Matters
The world’s biggest challenges—climate change, healthcare advancements, and the future of technology—need fresh perspectives. Yet, women remain underrepresented in STEM fields, not because of ability, but because they often don’t see themselves in these careers. Girls in Tech is about changing that.
STEM is not just for scientists and engineers; it’s for problem-solvers, artists, and innovators across all industries, connecting students with real-world mentors like superstars in STEM Assoc. Prof. Sarah Scholten, STEM Punks, Women in Digital Technologies, and Junior Engineers. The Expo allowed girls to learn from those who were once in their shoes. This exposure made it clear that a future in engineering, robotics, cybersecurity, or coding isn’t just something to imagine—it’s something they can step into today.
Hands-On Learning: Where Curiosity Meets Confidence
This year’s workshops were designed to bring STEM to life in fun and meaningful ways. Students explored cybersecurity and robotics, testing their knowledge in the Australian Information Security Association’s Cyber Clash quiz. At the same time, Junior Engineers’ coding sessions gave them a firsthand look at programming and problem-solving. Saab Australia’s Exploring the Oceans and KIK Innovation’s micro:bit Virtual Pet workshop introduced them to robotics and automation, showing how technology shapes industries and everyday life.
AI and innovation also took centre stage, with STEM Punks’ Sustainability Innovation Challenge and AI Camp’s Empowering Future Innovators with Artificial Intelligence sparking curiosity about how emerging technologies shape the world. In the Aqualibrium Town Planning Challenge, students tackled urban design challenges, while Creart Digital Media’s Mirror XR | Shards of Memories workshop immersed them in the possibilities of augmented reality and digital storytelling.
These experiences reinforced a simple but powerful truth: STEM is not just something to study—it’s something to do.
More Than an Expo—A Moment That Sparks a Future
One of the most powerful takeaways from Girls in Tech is the realisation that STEM is for everyone. Seeing female engineers, scientists, and tech leaders in action helps students move beyond self-doubt and embrace the idea that they, too, can shape the future.
With special thanks to:
ADA Lab, Creart Digital Media, Modern Teaching Aids (MTA), AI Camp, Junior Engineers, Centre Com, OYLA, Saab, Women in Creative Technologies, STEM Punks, TAFE SA, Dark Matter, Flinders University, Cyber CX, Adelaide University, AISA (Australian Information Secutiry Association), Rising Sun Pictures, ElectronicallyE, KIK Innovation, 42 Adelaide, BAE Systems, Sturt Foodball Club, and Talent Academy.
Melissa Lee
STEM Innovation Leader
Garth Coulter
Head of Digital Learning and Technologies
Sensational Science with our Scientist in Residence
Science with Miss Amelia is a highlight of our week! The Reception classes have been working with our Scientist in Residence on Mondays this term, experimenting with scientific procedures to make mixtures and conduct experiments. This week Miss Amelia stepped the girls through the procedure to make stress balls. The girls used a small funnel to pour cornflour and water into a balloon and were amazed as the mixture turned into oobleck! Having opportunities for hands-on experiments provides such a wonderful way to explore new vocabulary as they describe their observations. We can hardly wait for our next science lesson and are so grateful for this experience!
Kat Clark and Michelle Liddy
Reception Teachers
