MACSYS is partnering with ATSIMA – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Alliance to connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with exciting, community-grounded STEM pathways. Our first joint STEM Camp took place with the Lombadina community on the Dampier Peninsula in WA, where students rotated through hands-on workshops: Mapping Country and drone demos, stop-motion animation, Murujuga rock-art science (air quality and surface pH), “Big Trig” ancient measurement, and Deadly Coders.

MACSYS Chief Investigator Mike McDonald attended the camp and shared this reflection about his time there: “The program was framed by a Welcome to Country, star-story evenings, and a full cultural walk led by local knowledge holders culminating in some mud-crab hunting and in mangroves I would not have dared venture in without local knowledge. Altogether, about half the camp was spent connecting with Country and learning from Elders, embodying Director Chris Matthews’ view that STEM can strengthen culture, not pull people away. It was a remarkable experience for students and teachers alike, but, selfishly, I might have learned the most of all.”