The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIRO’s) STEM Community Partnerships Program and Telstra have partnered in an effort to engage more students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The CSIRO-led program is part of Generation STEM, a 10-year initiative aimed at attracting and supporting NSW students in science, maths and technology fields, supported by a $25 million endowment from the NSW Government’s Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF).

The newly announced partnership with Telstra is expected to open students to new career possibilities across STEM fields and at Telstra, with experiences gained through the telco expected to play a key role in enabling students to discover their interest in STEM.

“The STEM Community Partnerships Program is an important education program that empowers students and showcases the relevance of STEM in everyday life. It aims to support the skills needed by local industry and connects industry with their future workforce,” CSIRO Director of Education and Outreach, Ruth Carr, said.

The initiative will offer Year 9 and 10 students from Western Sydney and the Central Coast visits to Telstra’s Sydney Customer Insight Centre to hear from industry professionals and discover “next-generation” innovations in Telstra’s networks.

The site visits will also offer students a chance to experience STEM outside of the classroom and better understand how STEM-based skills play a role in solving real-world issues, with activities including live network demonstrations, lessons on emerging technologies, and career walkthroughs from Telstra experts, the firm said.

“The partnership with CSIRO is about supporting our next generation with STEM skills, first-hand industry knowledge and hands-on experiences to encourage, support and help students make informed decisions regarding future STEM careers,” Telstra’s group executive of product and technology, Kim Krogh-Andersen said.