3 June 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local students sponsored to attend Innovative Young Minds.
Samuel Marsden Collegiate School Year 11 students Trinity Hunt of Karori and Grace Kerr of Roseneath have been selected to attend this year’s Innovative
Young Minds (IYM) programme in Upper Hutt. IYM was established by Hutt City Council and Rotary Hutt City to change the
way young women view careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.
“We are going to need fresh thinking and innovative ideas to tackle the challenges of the 21st century,” said Prime
Minister Jacinda Ardern in a video on the IYM website. “To make progress on global issues like climate change we need to
inspire talented people to invent new ways of working, living, travelling and making things. And to build a better
future the next generation of scientist, engineers and technicians needs to better reflect our diverse society. So
that’s why it’s really important that we encourage more young women and girls to get involved in science and
technology.”
During the week long programme Grace and Trinity will travel to a variety of science and technology businesses, research
institutes and tertiary education providers in the Wellington region to experience hands-on science and tech activities
and hear first-hand from women who have built careers in the sector. Grace said, “I hope to develop a more in-depth
understanding of STEM careers and opportunities as well as to connect with other girls passionate about STEM. I am
grateful for the chance to step outside my comfort zone and build my confidence when faced with a challenge. “
According to the programme website it is only open to young women because females are under-represented in the STEM
sector and they want to change that. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern agrees, “I know New Zealand is home to lots of
brilliant and passionate young women because I’ve met many of them during my time as a member of parliament. I really
encourage these young women to get involved in STEM whether that’s at school, university or through programmes like
Innovative Young Minds so they can help solve the next big issues and invent technologies we can’t even imagine and
create a more sustainable future.”
Samuel Marsden Collegiate School has been providing quality independent education for over 140 years. While honouring
tradition it delivers a wide-ranging, modernised and future-focused curriculum. Marsden is New Zealand’s first Visible
WellbeingTM school. The Marsden School Karori campus provides education for girls from Years 1-13 and has a co-ed
Preschool. Marsden School’s purpose is to lay the foundation for lives of meaning, accomplishment and genuine happiness.
marsden.school.nz
END