Griffith University has partnered with Supercars to launch a female-focused program designed to inspire young women to explore careers in motorsport and STEM industries.
The SuperGEMS program was officially launched at Griffith University, with Supercars drivers, officials and key female figures joining the celebration.
PremiAir Racing engineer Romy Mayer – the first female engineer to score a Supercars pole and podium – up-and-coming female driver Summer Rintoule, current Brad Jones Racing driver Bryce Fullwood and seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner Craig Lowndes all attended.
SuperGEMS operates under Griffith’s renowned Science on the GO! initiative, with a focus on connecting female Year nine and 10 students from across Southeast Queensland with industry professionals. It will incorporate motorsport-related activities that offer students unique experiences that highlight the exciting opportunities within Australian and international motorsport.
This unique STEM education program focuses on empowering young women in motorsport, leveraging their talents and passions to drive innovation and equality within the motorsport industry and embody the belief that ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’.
Real-world industry connections
“SuperGEMS is about creating real-world connections between education and industry,” says Anita Brant, STEM Outreach Manager for the Science on the Go! program at Griffith.
“By engaging students in hands-on, motorsport-focused STEM activities, we aim to ignite their passion for science and technology while showcasing the exciting career pathways available in motorsport,” she says.
“Through the SuperGEMS program, we will be able to provide young women with direct access to the Supercars industry and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders who will drive the future of STEM and Supercars.”
Problem-solving mentorship support
Mentorship opportunities with motorsport professionals are a key part of the program, which enables students to undertake problem-solving projects featuring real-world scenarios faced by Supercars competitors.
Program objectives
- Engage female students in STEM: Inspire female students to explore STEM fields, using motorsport as a platform to demonstrate real-world STEM applications
- Hands-on learning: Provide practical learning experiences through workshops, hands-on activities, and interaction with industry experts, including the Supercars team
- Industry insight: Offer insights into career opportunities in both STEM and motorsport, particularly highlighting the intersection of the two fields
- Promoting diversity in STEM and motorsport: Address gender imbalances by promoting pathways for girls in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Program outline
- Up to six key experience days for students across terms one to four (Experience Days)
- STEM-related problem-solving projects posed by Supercars
- Use of Griffith University resources and staff to support program activities
- Visits to Supercars events and facilities
- Mentorship from industry professionals
- Presentation of student project work at the end of Term four.
Student outcomes
- Scientific knowledge and understanding
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Engineering and technology proficiency
- Motorsport and automotive industry awareness
- Vehicle design and aerodynamics
- Communication and team collaboration
- Industry networking and mentorship
- Career planning and pathways
- Increased participation
- Skill development
- Career awareness
- Confidence-building and empowerment
- Networking and mentorship
- Inspiration and aspiration
Championing diversity and innovation
“SuperGEMS represents a significant step forward in promoting diversity and innovation within our sport,” says Supercars COO Tim Watsford.
“The goal of SuperGEMS is to foster the growth of diversity within the industry by providing young women direct access to the sport in new and ambitious ways.
“SuperGEMS students will be able to dissect real-world scenarios in the classroom, lean on the knowledge of Supercars personnel, and get up close with a number of key elements of the sport through our experience days.
“We are privileged to have a number of brilliant women currently making waves in Australian motorsport, some of whom are here today, and we are looking forward to bringing this next generation of STEM leaders up to speed in the motorsport industry.”
