The Orbispace Initiative – Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) Scholarships

3 Jul 2026

Plumpton High School is proud to announce and congratulate six Year 8 Da Vinci Class High Potential Gifted Education (HPGE) female students have been awarded fully funded scholarships to participate in The Orbispace Initiative's Year 8 Innovation Program, a nationally recognised program that empowers young women through STEM, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Orbispace Initiative is an Australian not-for-profit organisation committed to increasing the participation of young women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The program addresses the underrepresentation of women in these fields by equipping students with technical knowledge alongside essential future-focused skills including leadership, communication, collaboration, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking.

Designed specifically for Year 8 students, the program aligns with the Australian Curriculum and introduces students to authentic industry experiences through mentorship, innovation workshops and networking opportunities with STEM and entrepreneurial professionals. Over two school terms, participants will engage in weekly learning experiences before showcasing their ideas in the national "Pitch for the Planet" innovation competition.

The scholarships were successfully secured by Ms Arezo Kohistani, who has also been appointed as the school's Orbispace Mentor Teacher. In this role, Ms Kohistani will mentor the scholarship recipients throughout the six-month program, delivering weekly entrepreneurship lessons while guiding students as they develop creative solutions to real-world challenges.

The program has demonstrated significant success across Australia, with more than 80 per cent of participants choosing STEM electives following completion of the program, while over 90 per cent report increased confidence, stronger teamwork, improved communication skills and enhanced leadership capabilities. This achievement reflects Plumpton High School's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality learning opportunities that inspire excellence, foster innovation and prepare students to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and technology-driven world.

Once again congratulations to our students and Ms Kohistani. A huge thank you to the sponsors of this prestigious initiative for enabling our young people to flourish and access opportunities that can and will change their life trajectories.

Tim Lloyd, Principal

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