Victory Lutheran College was the first stop for the crew from Robogals, a student-run organisation which aims to inspire more women to study STEM fields at a tertiary level.

Maria Ngo, Ellen Barnes and Ella Meiklejohn were part of the 11-strong group of students from Robogals chapters based at the University of Canberra, UNSW, Monash University and the University of Melbourne.

Their trip to the Border marks the first time the four chapters have come together to deliver lessons in Albury-Wodonga.

Struggling to feel at home in a male-dominated field was something Miss Ngo said many members of Robogals could relate to.

“It’s really important for us to go out to schools so girls can see themselves in what we do, so they can have someone to look up to and know it’s possible to do it,” she said.

“Engineering is not a field for geniuses, it’s a field for creative, hardworking people.

“It’s a lot of trying and a lot of failing – it’s not about being perfect.

“Most want or strive to be perfect, or can be afraid of failure.

“We’re here to let them know that’s not the case – it’s about embracing the failure, breaking the problem down and enjoying the process of solving it.” 

Ellen Barnes hails from a small town similar to many around the North-East, and said had she been given the opportunity to take part in something like Robogals when she was in school, she would have found her chosen profession (IT) much sooner.

“STEM was encouraged, but we didn’t really know anything about what was out there,” she said.

“I talked to a friend who was studying IT and she told me about all the programs and projects she was doing,” she said.

“It sounded great, but it took me a year and a half to find out that was what I wanted to do, and only by meeting someone who was doing it themselves.” 

One of their group’s primary goals is to change the perception of STEM fields among female students.

“Growing up, I believe myself and a lot of other girls knew we were good at maths and science, but engineering came across my mind,” Miss Ngo said.

“Teachers suggested it, but every time I turned it down saying ‘I’m a girl, why would you suggest that?’

“At that age, my thinking was why would I do that when everyone I know in engineering is male?

“I realise now that that’s a perception created by society and imposed especially on girls.

“We’re definitely here to change that.”