Celebrating Our Future Innovators: Women in STEM Day 2026

On February 11, Good Samaritan Catholic College celebrated Women in STEM Day, an inspiring event dedicated to empowering our young women in Years 9 to 12 to lead, innovate, and break barriers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The day began with a captivating keynote address from ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation). Our students gained a deep dive into the world of nuclear medicine, specifically the vital role of radioisotopes as tracers and diagnostic tools.

Beyond the science, the session provided a platform for a candid Q&A. Students received invaluable advice on:

●     Navigating a career as a woman in a male-dominated field.

●     Practical strategies for identifying their specific passion within STEM.

●     The importance of curiosity and resilience in research.

Theory quickly turned into practice as students gathered on the MacKillop Balcony for the much-anticipated Egg Drop Challenge. Working in collaborative teams, students were tasked with designing a device to protect a raw egg from a two-story fall.

The air was filled with excitement (and a little bit of tension!) as prototypes were put to the ultimate test. Through this hands-on exercise, students mastered the "engineering mindset" by applying:

●     Rapid Iteration: Refining designs after initial failures.

●     Brainstorming: Merging diverse ideas into one cohesive plan.

●     Structural Design: Understanding how to absorb impact and protect "the payload."

We are thrilled to report that most devices survived the plunge, proving that GSCC has some formidable future engineers in its midst!

The day concluded on a high note with a community pizza lunch, followed by a high-energy Women in STEM Kahoot. It was a fantastic way to test our knowledge of history’s greatest female pioneers and celebrate the experts in our own student body.

I would like to thank Mr Ortiz, Miss Nicolas, Mrs Thomas and Mrs Chung for their instrumental role in planning the day and allowing it to be a successful event.

Miss Rebecca Woods

Assistant Science Coordinator.