Applications closed yesterday for the AMSI Specialist Maths High School Scholarships for Girls. We were blown away by the response, and very happy to see applications coming in from across Australia.

Thank you to everyone who shared details of the scholarship with their networks, and to the parents, teachers and schools who supported students with their applications.

The scholarships are part of AMSI’s work to address the persistently low participation of girls in Specialist Mathematics and equivalent advanced mathematics subjects in Year 12. By supporting girls to continue with advanced mathematics through Years 11 and 12, the program aims to help keep the door open to future study in the mathematical sciences and STEM, and to the many careers these fields can lead to.

Scholarship recipients receive financial assistance as well as mentoring, opportunities to connect with women studying mathematics at university and working in maths-related careers.

Victorian teacher Emmanuel Selvarajah provided some fantastic feedback to AMSI about what he is seeing in class.

“Our numbers are certainly increasing, including in Year 12 Specialist Mathematics. This year, 10 of our 18 students are girls. Next year I will be starting with 22 students, 11 of whom are girls. My dream and vision is to run two Year 12 Specialist Mathematics classes soon,” said Mr Selvarajah.

“I am very grateful that AMSI is awarding these scholarships, especially to students from low socio-economic areas,” he said.

AMSI would also like to thank our donors and supporters for making these scholarships possible. Applications will now be reviewed, with shortlisted applicants invited to online interviews in late November and scholars announced in December.

We are also seeking mentors to support this cohort of scholarship recipients, expressions of interest are now open.