About this Event
Please select 1 x MORNING Workshop preference AND 1 x AFTERNOON Workshop preference. Please note, while we will do our best to accommodate your preferences, it is not a guarantee.
On Saturday 16 May, St Patrick's College Townsville will present its tenth annual #STEMLikeAPatsGirl Conference - the only event of its kind in North Queensland. It is a day devoted to empowering and engaging girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The event is open to all girls, aged 10 to 15, from North Queensland who have an interest in STEM. Entry is free, with morning tea, lunch, t-shirt and merchandise provided!
In 2026, the College will once again partner with leaders in Tech, Engineering, Mathematics, and Science, to deliver a jam-packed experience with hands-on activities and explosive workshops.
If you are unable to attend after confirming your registration, please get in contact with the event organiser so we may reallocate your spot!
2026 Workshop Information:
FORENSIC ANATOMY
Human bones have been discovered in the outback. Your job as the forensic anthropologist is to provide the police with as much information about these bones as possible.
- What bones are present?
- Can you work out if they were an adult or child, a man or a woman?
- How old were they when they died?
- How tall were they?
- Are there any distinguishing features of the skeleton that can help the police identify this person or how they died?
- Did they die a natural or violent death?
This workshop will investigate just how much information our bones can tell us. We will explore the anatomy of bones including their microscopic structure and have access to an anatomy app to increase your knowledge of the human skeleton.
ADF: MISSION VR - STEP INTO THE ACTION
Dive into the ADF: Virtual Reality Experience workshop, where you’ll step inside immersive simulations that put you in the action - flying an Army attack helicopter, exploring Navy submarines, and operating on surface ships. Using VR headsets, you’ll experience what these roles feel like firsthand, alongside a brief introduction to the ADF and opportunities to ask questions.
SWALLOWING SOLUTIONS (JCU: SPEECH PATHOLOGY)
Like breathing, swallowing is essential to everyday life. Humans swallow at between 500-700 times a day, around three times an hour during sleep, once per minute while awake and even more during meals. Around one million Australians have a swallowing difficulty called dysphagia.
In this workshop, you will explore the anatomy and physiology of swallowing and the technologies used to help diagnose and manage dysphagia. You will have the opportunity to undertake clinical assessment of swallowing function and use the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) audit tool to assess the viscosities and consistencies of various fluids and foods.
S'MATER CARE
Step into the world of healthcare in this hands-on Mater Allied Health Workshop, where you’ll experience a hospital environment and take part in realistic patient simulations. Working in teams, you’ll problem-solve patient scenarios and practise using equipment like mobility aids to support your “patient”, building skills in teamwork, communication, and clinical thinking while exploring careers in allied health.
IT'S ROCKET SCIENCE
Students explore real-life applications to space science, future problem solving and engineering innovations using the platform of rocketry and space science. Our applied design and project-based STEM challenges require students to develop an understanding in Newton's three laws of motion, forces, energy, engineering concepts and prototyping, design technologies and science inquiry skills. All students will design, build and launch rockets made from sustainable technology.
STEM PUNKS
Coding and robotics. This program with activities focusing on innovation in sustainability and using design thinking and project-based learning strategies. Key elements include empathising with local community needs, defining local and global problems using the UN Sustainable Development Goals and coding and prototyping solutions for learning and well-being using our Environmental Sensor STEM tool. This program supports development of critical and creative thinking, technology use, and practical problem-solving.
SECRETS OF THE SEA: THE TURTLE COUNT
This interactive STEM workshop immerses students in real-world marine science by simulating turtle population research techniques used on the Great Barrier Reef. Participants engage in a hands-on mark–recapture investigation, collecting and analysing data to estimate a hidden population. Through teamwork, movement, and problem-solving, students explore ecological monitoring, sampling methods, and scientific uncertainty in an authentic and engaging way.
AVIAN BIRD FLU
Become a disease detective in this hands-on workshop where you’ll investigate a real-world wildlife mystery - what’s making birds sick near local wetlands? Working in teams, you’ll explore how diseases like bird flu spread between animals (and sometimes people), how environmental factors influence outbreaks, and develop your own plan to stop the spread. Along the way, you’ll build problem-solving and teamwork skills while discovering STEM careers like veterinarians, scientists, and disease trackers.
STAYIN' ALIVE
In this two-part workshop, we will explore the applied science underpinning the chain of survival in cardiac arrest, as well as trauma management and patient extrication. As a group, we will learn the theoretical concepts behind the chain of survival then move on to skill application. We will cover CPR, defibrillation, intravenous cannulation & airway management. For the trauma section we will learn how to apply limb splints, cervical collars, and extricate a patient from the ground into an ambulance.
SENSORY SUPERPOWERS
This interactive workshop allows students to explore how sensory input influences daily performance and attention. Students will participate in the following hands-on activities:
- Sensory Preference Mapping: Students will use a sensory profile checklist to identify and explore their own unique sensory preferences.
- The Eight Sensory Systems: An immersive experience where students engage in activities designed to help them understand each of the eight distinct sensory systems.
- Reflection & Function: A guided session to pause and reflect on how specific sensory elements impact attention spans and our ability to complete tasks across the day.
Each participant will receive a t-shirt upon arrival. Please make sure you provide us with the participant's t-shirt size; noting the shirts are a small make.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Saint Patrick's College, 45 The Strand, Townsville, Australia
AUD 0.00
