Melbourne Indigenous STEM Education Program

The Melbourne Indigenous STEM Education Program (MISEP) is a series of Indigenous-led, hands-on, curriculum-based workshops that aim to engage high school students with Indigenous STEM knowledges.

In it's first year, MISEP is partnering with 10 schools across metropolitan and regional Victoria to deliver workshops over the next 18 months. The team is made up of First Nations Science students, who are brilliant at connecting young people with Indigenous STEM knowledges.

So far, year eight students from Footscray High School, William Ruthven Secondary College, Kyabram P-12 College, Coburg High School, Mount Beauty Secondary College, Collingwood College and Reservoir High School have participated in workshop one. MISEP will then travel to Wallan Secondary College and Mount Clear Colleg in the coming month.

The program aspires to ensure that the next generation gains a love of STEM-based inquiry and recognises and respects the impact of Indigenous knowledges on the past, present, and future of STEM. The workshops focus on three themes of Indigenous science; sustainability, astronomy, and fire practices. These workshops have been developed by Indigenous students and academics, Elders and knowledge holders, as well as other academic experts.

In workshop one, students are challenged to undergo a process of innovative design thinking to tackle modern environmental challenges affecting our waterways, drawing upon Indigenous perspectives, sustainability principles, and materials. Students are encouraged to consider the role Indigenous sustainable practices have played in this nation’s environmental management, for millennia. MISEP aims to inspire students to continue reflecting upon Indigenous perspectives and innovations within their STEM learning beyond the workshop, as well as consider the role they play in caring for Country.

Presenters from the MISEP display an eel trap made by Yorta Yorta artist Donna Blackall.