Maker Projects – Community STEM Engagement Grants 2022

The Maker Projects - Community STEM Engagement grants aim to foster creativity and inquiry-based learning and support the development of STEM skills in students and youth under 18 years of age in design, engineering and programming, through hands-on learning.

The objectives of the grant opportunity are to:

• deliver maker projects where students and youth under 18 years of age can develop and apply their STEM knowledge through experimentation, tinkering and hands-on learning by engaging with a range of technologies.
• encourage practical skills, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking through the delivery of hands on  STEM-related events and activities.
• inspire students to pursue STEM disciplines in their study and work.
• ensure that maker projects are accessible to as many young people as possible, including those in regional, rural and disadvantaged areas.
• make a positive and ongoing impact on youth under 18 years of age, particularly those from historically under-represented groups, including girls, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and youth living in regional, rural and remote locations, people with disability and people from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds.

The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are:

• students and youth under 18 years of age will gain practical knowledge and skills in scientific experimentation, design, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.
• an increase in the accessibility of STEM-related events and activities and increased participation of youth under 18 years of age, particularly those from groups traditionally under represented in STEM, including girls, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people living in regional, rural and remote locations, people with disability and people from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, in STEM events.
• positive and ongoing development of STEM skills for participating youth through inquiry-based learning.