I-Wish Conference 2025
I-Wish stands for Inspiring Women in Science and Health and is an international initiative designed to encourage teenage girls to follow their interests in Engineering, Science, Health and Technology through hands on experience with pioneering women working in this field whose work is contributing to a better society.
Matthew Flinders Anglican College (MFAC) pioneered the I-Wish Challenge five years ago and in 2024 a student and teacher team from St Catherine’s were invited to attend their conference alongside Pymble Ladies College. From this incredible experience, we formed an interstate partnership, and on Friday 1 August, St Catherine’s hosted our first ever I-Wish Conference.
The event involved 40 Year 10 students who study STEM or Health subjects as part of their elective program, alongside a group of 7 Year 11 mentors and a team of staff members from the Science and Health/PE Faculties. Below is a summary of the day.
Research Projects and Ethical Leadership in STEM and Health
The conference kicked off in an exciting manner with presentations from our guest scientists. We were privileged to have an expert panel of early career researchers who shared their doctoral and post-doctoral projects. They included Aradana Muthupandian and Dr Naz Karimnia from CSRIO, Rowina Nathan and Dr Allison Mo from Monash University, Dr Shannen Walker from the Baker Institute, and Old Girl neuroscientist Dr Sigrid Petautschnig (’13), most recently at Cyban. Alongside their presentation on their ‘hot topic’ of research, each scientist shared their post-school journey into STEM and Health, providing a fascinating insight into the diverse trajectories careers can take, often spanning continents and multiple institutions. Topics included brain pulse technology, cardiometabolic disease, haematopoiesis, gene editing, blood transfusions and astrophysics.
After the presentations, students were able to select one topic to focus on for a science advocacy project and were placed into groups.
In the middle of the day, we were treated to a rich panel discussion with Old Girl Professor Susie Nilsson (’86) and her colleague from the CSIRO, Associate Professor Bev Maulhaulser. Co-facilitated by our Principal Natalie Charles and Year 11 student Isabella Teoh, the conversation focused on the role of ethical thinking in leading scientific research, and the competing demands in balancing the innovations of science with the needs of the community. It was terrific to see strong links between our Ethical Leadership in Year 9 and the very real application of this mode of thinking at the highest levels of public health and science.
I Wish-Challenge: Design Sprint and Pitches
Once students were allocated into their teams, they commenced the I-Wish Challenge. Following the procedural steps for design thinking, they first generated potential solutions before collectively deciding on an advocacy project to translate their chosen researcher’s findings for a youth audience. They were guided through this process with the assistance of a Year 11 mentor and the advice of their researcher. Subsequently, they made use of their digital design skills to construct a presentation to accompany their pitch, in a modified form of the 3-minute thesis.
The afternoon session saw each group present their pitch to the panel of judges (featuring our two esteemed professors from the CSRIO in addition to our special guest Helen Haysom, mother of Physics teacher Clare Haysom). The student pitches, based on the principles of ‘educate’, ‘inspire’ and ‘advocate’ were fantastic, demonstrating innovative approaches to the translation of scientific research for a youth audience. Ideas included a ‘Blood Buddy’ app partnering those needing transport for more frequent blood transfusions with learner drivers requiring hours, a suite of video games to develop an understanding of cells and the creation of a brain pulse headband to check for neurological damage in suspected AFL concussions on the field. The diversity of the ideas and engagement in the presentations demonstrated the students’ developing skills in effective science communication, linking well with our school’s ongoing commitment to a Thinking Agenda.
Most importantly, the conference was an incredible opportunity for our students to gain insight into the professional lives of scientific researchers. As senior science and health students, it is crucial for them to see what potential careers might look like for them and the best way to channel their talents and interests. Furthermore, our Year 11 students in their mentoring and MC roles were able to demonstrate the leadership skills they will draw on in their final year of school when they are charged with leading the entire student body.
Acknowledgement of Support
This day would not have been possible without the generous support of our Parents’ and Friends’ Association, who kindly donated the prize money for the winning group and the lovely gifts for our guest researchers. A massive thanks to PFA co-presidents Camilla Byrne and Lisa Yazbek who were enthusiastic in their backing for this initiative on behalf of our students. In addition, we would like to acknowledge Dr Louise McCuaig at Matthew Flinders Anglican College, who extended the initial invitation to St Catherine’s to participate and provided valuable logistical support in designing our own conference. We look forward to continuing our partnership with MFAC and Pymble, with the goal of opening this initiative to girls in other schools in years to come.
