A new initiative has been launched to improve female participation in specialist maths in years 11 and 12, amid studies showing that girls’ maths enrolments have been declining.
In April, a report by The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) found that Year 12 participation in calculus-based mathematics has plummeted to an all-time low in the last three year, with just 6.4% of year 12 females studying higher mathematics in 2022.
To address this, AMSI has announced the launch of the AMSI Yuille-Umbers Female High School Scholarships, which will provide support and mentoring to female students from disadvantaged backgrounds completing specialist maths in years 11 and 12.
Founding donors, Professor Tim Brown and Catriona De Vere say the scholarships are to honour the legacies of Ethel (“Elsie”) Yuille and Catherine Mary (“Maimie”) Umbers, grandmothers of the donors, aimed at empowering future generations of women through educational opportunities. They also honour their mothers, Pamela Hudson and June De Vere.
“All four women showed remarkable resilience and independence in overcoming huge challenges, empowering us with the love of education knowing that learning would transform our lives,” Catriona and Tim said in a statement following the launch of the scholarships on 16 July.
“It is wonderful for us to offer these opportunities inspired by all four women’s remarkable generosity, certain that the highest level of mathematics education will open many doors for the recipients.”
AMSI Foundation Chairman, Dr Les Trudzik said by fostering the growth of female mathematical capabilities, the Yuille-Umbers Scholarships aim to build self-confidence and empower young women to participate in driving innovation and progress essential for Australia’s future.
“Having witnessed the tremendous impact that STEM scholarships can have on the lives young women, not only in improving access to otherwise unattainable study but also in opening up the wide range of career possibilities, I am delighted that the AMSI Foundation has the privilege of administering the AMSI Yuille-Umbers Female High School Scholarships on behalf of the founding donors, Professor Tim Brown and Catriona De Vere, and thank them for their generous support of the mathematical sciences,” Dr Trudzik said.
“By investing in these students, we invest in a more inclusive and forward-thinking society.”
In an interview with The Educator in May, AMSI Director, Professor Tim Marchant cautioned that continued low enrolment levels will have a significant impact on Australia’s capacity to meet future STEM workforce needs.
“Under-represented groups in mathematics include students from low SES backgrounds and those from regional Australia,” Dr Marchant said.
“The 2022 PISA maths results showed that there is a substantial inequality of outcomes for low SES cohorts, and also for those from regional Australia.”
To achieve equitable societal outcomes, Dr Marchant says the outcomes and participation rates of these cohorts needs to substantially improve.
“Schools in regional Australia tend to be smaller than those in the city and consequently class sizes for higher mathematics subjects are small — if they exist at all.”
Dr Marchant said while most states currently offer some useful virtual learning options, these initiatives could be expanded in scope to create regional virtual schools that pool scarce mathematics teachers and create larger cohorts of students studying higher mathematics.
“Better access to mathematics teachers and larger student cohorts will make mathematics study more engaging for maths students in regional Australia.”