Mount Duneed engineer Ellen Moon has become a ‘Superstar of STEM’ in a national program promoting the achievements of women in science.
Science Minister Karen Andrews welcomed 60 women including Dr Moon into the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) program on Tuesday.
The program, Superstars of STEM, teaches advanced communication skills to participants for them to better promote their research.
Dr Moon was excited to promote science to young people in Geelong, especially girls.
“A really important component of getting more girls involved in science and technology at school is having those visible role models there, so they … know they can do it too,” she said.
Dr Moon travelled to Antarctica on an all-female voyage earlier this year as part of Homeward Bound, a leadership initiative for women scientists.
At times she felt like she had sailed into a painting during the voyage, she told the Indy in June: geelongindy.com.au/indy/11-06-2018/ellens-antarctic-adventure.
Deakin’s executive dean of science and engineering Karen Hapgood congratulated Dr Moon on her acceptance into Superstars of STEM.
“Deakin knows that when women are given the opportunity to succeed in STEM they don’t just contribute, they lead the pack,” she said.
The fantastic initiative created a “critical mass of Australian female scientists to act role models, especially for young women and girls”, Professor Hapgood said.
The program also promoted equal representation in the media of women and men in STEM, Professor Hapgood said.
Dr Moon is a lecturer in Deakin’s School of Engineering and her research focusses on heavy metals in the environment.
