Students from Dungog, Bulahdelah and Gloucester delved deeper into the world of science, tech, engineering and maths over a special two-day workshop last week.
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The girls in Years 7,8 and 9 took part in the workshop presented and sponsored by RDA Hunter and the ME program and supported by the Greater Barrington STEM Community - a collaboration of schools involving Bulahdelah central, Dungog high and Gloucester high.
The STEM programs are then rolled out into the feeder primary schools by the participating high schools.
Dr Jenine Beekhuyzen who runs the "Tech Girls are Superheroes" program which aims to get girls interested not only in STEM subjects but also the entrepreneurial side of things, was one of the presenters.
She aims to break down the stereotypes which prevent more girls taking up STEM subjects.
Sarah Kane, RDA regional development co-ordinator said it was important for girls to have the opportunity to take part in such programs.
"A lot of the time girls don't believe in until they see it, with these workshops they get hands on experience, they get to speak to people like Janine who have been in this industry for a very long time and are very passionate about promoting that to young girls."
The first part of the program was a visit to Port Waratah Coal Services.
The second day, International Women's Day, Dungog High School hosted a full day workshop where along with a variety of other projects, the girls came up with ideas for apps to solve common problems and even starting the coding for them.