That’s the 2024 tally of Year 10-12 students (aka NextGen science stars) who woke up extra early to join the ‘Girls in Physics Breakfasts’ initiative in six locations across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Championed by the Vicphysics Teachers’ Network, with the support of Invergowrie Foundation, the initiative aims to inspire young women to pursue careers in physics and STEM by facilitating connections with accomplished women role models in these fields.

The 2024 program covered events in Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Mildura, Monash, and Traralgon. Each featured guest speakers, interactive sessions and panel discussions.

Speakers included:

• Professor Emma Ryan-Weber, Swinburne University of Technology
• Associate Professor Gail Iles, RMIT University
• Associate Professor Kaye Morgan, Monash University
• Ms Natalie Clements, GenesisCare
• Professor Wendy Timms, Deakin University
• Professor Bre-Anne Sainsbury, Deakin University
• AIP Women in Physics Lecturer for 2024, Professor Susan Coppersmith, UNSW Sydney (whose presentation was livestreamed)

All shared insights into their educational and professional journeys, challenges faced along the way, and the rewards of pursuing a career in STEM.

The result? Students reported renewed enthusiasm for STEM and appreciated insights on career paths and diverse experiences shared by speakers.

Launched in 2016, Girls in Physics Breakfasts puts an emphasis on demystifying STEM by enabling students to share a table with – and ask questions of – women role models who are either in a career in physics or engineering or attending university.

Looking ahead, the initiative is exploring virtual sessions to reach more students, especially in regional and remote locations.

Venues and speakers for 2025 are currently being finalised. For more information, please contact: projects@vicphysics.org