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STEM Experience Day: ‘Murdoch’s Teen Innovators Take Flight”

Last day ceremony

Murdoch University invited teens to dive into the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics at Experience STEM. From cool experiments to hands-on workshops, it’s all about sparking curiosity and showing how STEM can shape the future.

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Teens out on the lawn experiencing various demos.

Last month Murdoch University’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) lit up with energy as fifty Year 9 and 10 students stepped onto campus for Experience STEM @ Murdoch, a three-day adventure designed to ignite an eagerness to learn, and showcase the future of science, technology, and engineering and mathematics. 
From the moment students arrived on December 16, the atmosphere was buzzing. The lawns outside Robertson Lecture Theatre transformed into a mini showcase, where ambassadors and staff welcomed students with hands-on demos and a taste of what was to come. Inside, the day kicked off with inspiring STEM Talks: Professor David Parry explored the surprising link between pigeons and artificial intelligence, while Dr Siobhán Wills and Dr Benjamin Lobel captivated the audience with “Chemistry Has All the Solutions.”

“Teenagers are naturally questioning,” said Dr Wills, who led the Sports Drink Showdown chemistry workshop. “When they see how science connects to everyday life, they realise they already have the tools to change the world".

The event was carefully woven across Murdoch University’s three STEM schools—Information Technology (IT), Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry and Physics (MSCP), and Engineering & Energy (E&E)—each contributing a unique flavour to the day’s workshops.
  • In IT, students became Cyber Pilots, navigating drones and exploring the fast-paced world of algorithms.
  • MSCP brought chemistry to life with experiments that challenged students to test and compare manufacturers’ ingredient claims in sports drinks, blending fun with scientific rigour.
  • E&E showcased the power of engineering logic in the Algorithms Workshop, where students tackled puzzles and coding challenges that mirrored real-world problem-solving.
The highlight for many was the Speed Networking session, where students connected with scientists and industry professionals, gaining a glimpse into the diverse careers STEM can unlock.

Behind the scenes, Murdoch’s Outreach team ensured everything ran seamlessly. Staff like Jayson Brown, Andrew Schembri, Annie Robins, Lucy JB, Tahlee Cale, and Riley Davis guided workshops, while student ambassadors Hugo, Nick Matthews, and Kate Gentle led groups with enthusiasm.

Annie presenting

Student Ambassador Annie Robins engaging with participants in Drone Workshop

“This event is about more than just experiments—it’s about showing young people that STEM is a community they can belong to”, said Andrew Schembri, Outreach Officer and organiser of the event. “We want them to leave knowing that Murdoch is a place where their ideas can grow.”

The day closed with laughter, discoveries, and a sense of possibility. Students departed not only with new knowledge but also with a vision of themselves as future innovators, scientists, and engineers.
Murdoch’s Experience STEM is more than an event—it’s a launchpad. Whether flying drones, mixing solutions, or cracking algorithms, students saw firsthand how IT, MSCP, and E&E come together to shape the future. And for Murdoch University, that future looks bright, bold, and brimming with teenage talent.


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STEM Experience Day: ‘Murdoch’s Teen Innovators Take Flight”

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