Students embrace science careers

By Jonathon Howard

MOUNT ST Patrick College hosted a special event to celebrate women and girls in science on Friday, February 10.

The Weekly was invited to meet with an inspiring group of up-andcoming science students, who are eager to tackle the challenges of climate change and make positive changes to the world.

The students follow in the footsteps of some of incredibly talented female scientists who have taken on important roles in shaping our future.

The current year 12 science students spoke with past students via video link to inspire their future careers and to break down the gender divide in science.

Based on global studies, men continue to outnumber women two to one in the scientific workforce and, on average, have more productive careers and accumulate more impact. But schools like Mount St Patrick College are aiming to change those statistics, by encouraging and driving female students to embrace a career in science.

Mahalia Ashforth is studying earth and environmental science. She’s hoping to study that at university, particularly environmental protection. She finds Greta Thunberg inspiring.

Rosie Davis is studying biology, chemistry and earth science. She wants to study wildlife conservation at university.

Mount St Patrick acting leader of learning in science, Sher Millward, spoke with The Weekly about the special event and introduced seven year 12 students developing a passion

“And we have some amazing graduates from Mt Saint Patrick College, who have found incredible careers in science, and it was great to have them back for a video chat, or a video submission to help inspire our current seniors.”

Jamie Cotelli is studying biology and earth science. Hoping to study architecture based around sustainability at university. She finds the teachers inspiring at Mount St Patrick.

Maya O’callagh is undertaking accelerated chemistry and this year biology and earth science. She’s hoping to study something medical. She’s inspired by women in the field of advanced medical science.

Among the former graduates is Dannica Shultz who is now an Indinator, Ella Shultz is an exercise physiologist, Riley Chaffer is now a medical engineer, Maddison Sherrah is an epidemiologist and now senior data analyst, Jordan Debono became a scientific advisor for CSL Seqirus and Ashley Selwood is a scientific officer for NSW Health Pathology.

Indie Phattharapraphakorn is studying biology and hopes to study medicine at university. She finds her science teacher Mrs Jackie Tilsey especially inspiring.

Phoebe Grafin is studying biology and earth science and hopes to study something to do with science at university. She’s inspired by all of the above answers.

Isobel Gresham did chemistry last year and biology this year. Hoping to go into medicine. She’s inspired by all women in the role of science.