Fun, friendship, and future pathways: Impacts of a Curtin University mentoring program on girls' STEM attitudes

Tahnee West, Cindy Ann Smith and Carly Steele
Curtin University, Australia

The under-representation of women and girls in STEM careers and study pathways is increasingly understood as a significant issue. The effects of mentoring on improving women's engagement in STEM are well-researched, yet limited research exists in a Western Australian education context, and few studies focus on the ways in which mentoring affects adolescent girls' attitudes to STEM. This mixed-methods study evaluated the impact of a six-month girls-only STEM mentoring program on adolescents' attitudes towards STEM in Western Australia. Situated in a critical framework and using data collected from surveys, focus groups, and observations, the study involved 25 girls aged 12 to 15 and 14 women mentors currently studying or working in STEM. The findings show a significant positive shift in participants' attitudes towards STEM careers and education. Strong mentoring relationships, hands-on experiences, and community-building activities were key enablers. The study contributes new insights into how targeted, context-specific mentoring can support girls to develop positive attitudes towards STEM subjects and careers, and their belief in their own ability to achieve in these areas.
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Authors: Ms Tahnee West is an academic and PhD candidate within the School of Education at Curtin University, Western Australia where she develops, coordinates, and teaches undergraduate and postgraduate classes. Her research interests include diverse, equitable, and inclusive education and training, gender issues, and STEM engagement. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5290-1263 Email: tahnee.west@curtin.edu.au Dr Cindy Ann Smith serves as a lecturer and researcher in educational psychology in the School of Education, Curtin University, Western Australia with a specific interest in the development of programs to support all children to be successful in education. Her research focus includes mentoring as an intervention for neurodiverse adolescents, gender issues, and teacher training. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3109-6864 Email: cindy.smith1@curtin.edu.au Dr Carly Steele is an applied linguist and a fully qualified teacher with over 12 years' experience in diverse Australian educational contexts, including cities and rural and remote communities. She is a Senior Lecturer and Master of Education Course Coordinator at Curtin University, Western Australia. Carly engages in participatory research in collaboration with teachers and aims to promote culturally and linguistically responsive teaching practices. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4587-1654 Email: carly.steele@curtin.edu.au Please cite as: West, T., Smith, C. A. & Steele, C. (2026). Fun, friendship, and future pathways: Impacts of a Curtin University mentoring program on girls' STEM attitudes. Issues in Educational Research, 36(2), 806-835. http://www.iier.org.au/iier36/west.pdf