Over 150 Year 9 girls gathered at Flinders University for the 2023 STEM Enrichment Academy from 25-27 October, offering opportunities for the students from South Australia and the Northern Territory to engage with the world of STEM.

AIP President Professor Nicole Bell opened the event with a plenary on ‘The hidden universe – neutrinos and dark matter’.

Dr Stephen Warren-Smith and Dr Darryl Jones from the AIP SA branch led high school girls through experiments on 'mind-bending light', which included activities such as bouncing laser light around inside a 'jelly waveguide'.

Over the 3 days, the girls perform science in newly-built labs, engage with scientists, walk and talk with women-in-STEM role-models, and explore STEM opportunities at Flinders University.

The program will return in 2024 with dates to be announced soon. In the meantime, you can register your interest via the website.

(Photos by Brenton Edwards)