DeadlyScience Pathways Program

“I would encourage other First Nations students to take part in the program, because it’s life-changing”

The DeadlyScience and WEHI partnership aims to help reduce barriers to education for First Nations school students and demonstrate WEHI’s commitment to reconciliation, diversity, and inclusion. This STEM engagement initiative will help to demonstrate DeadlyScience and WEHI values to the community as a scientific thought leaders and a progressive and inclusive organisation.

As part of the inaugural partnership between WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research) and DeadlyScience we are proud to officially announce the second iteration of the WEHI DeadlyScience Pathways® Program.

This Program will run from 22nd October-24th October 2024 in Melbourne and will once again feature a three-day biomedical science immersion experience at WEHI’s Parkville campus. The Program is designed to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 9-10 in science and STEM related education and employment pathways, and as part of the Program students will participate in a wide range of activities and hear from some of the world’s top scientists and key innovators from across the country.

The program is FREE for participating First Nations students and schools, and WEHI will provide support for those travelling from interstate, or from regional and remote Victoria. We strongly encourage schools to complete our Expression of Interest and return to pathways@wehi.edu.au by the 9th June 2024 and we look forward to hearing from you soon!

“…you come away with a lot of experience and knowledge about what you want to do in the future.”

Who is it for?

The WEHI DeadlyScience Pathways Program is designed to inform Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students from Year 7-12 of opportunities in science and STEM-related education and employment pathways through a three-day immersive experience at WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research). The immersion experience will provide Indigenous students with a range of tours, activities and presentations from scientists and other WEHI and DeadlyScience staff to increase overall knowledge, awareness, engagement and understanding of pathways into science education and employment, as well as biomedical research practices and processes.

The Opportunity

The Program invites Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students to take part in a three-day immersive experience at WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research).

The immersion experience will provide Indigenous students with a range of tours, activities, and presentations from scientists and other WEHI and DeadlyScience staff to increase overall knowledge, awareness, engagement and understanding of pathways into science education and employment, as well as biomedical research practices and processes.

Overview

Under this partnership, WEHI and DeadlyScience will work to co-design and deliver science-based programs and activities for First Nations school students. Support will also be sought to help fund partnership activities, including a new STEM project aimed at embedding and expanding initiatives at WEHI to build a pipeline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across different levels and entry points.

This will be achieved through:

  • Increased number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities engaged in WEHI operations and projects and events.
  • Engagement and awareness amongst year 7-12 students participating in DeadlyScience Pathways, and increased knowledge of biomedical science research, education and employment and alternative pathways in STEM.
  • Increased collective efficacy regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support from internal stakeholders and stakeholder groups, and opportunities for support.
  • Increased opportunities for study and employment within WEHI for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

For more information on the DeadlyScience Pathways WEHI partnership and project, contact us here