2025-26 Scholars
AMSI is seeking passionate mentors from the mathematical sciences community and industry sector to join the Yuille-Umbers Mentorship Program and help empower young women in mathematics. This scholarship supports female high school students to excel in Specialist Mathematics, providing them with mentorship, guidance, and inspiration to pursue STEM careers.
We are looking for who can commit to regular mentoring sessions and help foster confidence, aspirations, and career readiness among these talented students.
If you are interested in making a meaningful impact, please email enquiries@amsi.org.au to express your interest.
Mentorship Program Outline
AMSI Yuille-Umbers Female High School Maths Scholarship
Background
The AMSI Yuille-Umbers Female Specialist Maths Scholars are a cohort of outstanding Victorian female high school students who have been awarded the AMSI Yuille-Umbers Specialist Maths High School Scholarships. This program aims to address the persistently low participation rates of female students in specialist mathematics by providing these scholars with vital resources and mentoring support. Through this initiative, AMSI seeks to empower young women to pursue advanced-level mathematics, fostering their confidence and capabilities to excel in the field and paving the way for greater gender equity in mathematics and related disciplines.
Mentor Program Overview
The AMSI Yuille-Umbers Mentorship Program is designed to provide scholarship recipients with guidance, support, and resources to excel academically, professionally, and personally. The program connects recipients with experienced mentors from the mathematical sciences community to foster their growth and development.
Mentors
We seek mentors who are passionate about increasing female participation in the mathematical sciences and the STEM workforce, by supporting and encouraging the AMSI Yuille-Umbers scholars as they study specialist maths. Mentors will be skilled at fostering an environment of open dialogue where scholars feel comfortable sharing thoughts and asking questions.
Mentor Program Objectives
- Support scholarship recipients in their academic and career development.
- Build meaningful mentor-mentee relationships.
- Enhance recipients’ confidence, aspirations, and professional networks.
- Champion increased participation of year 11 and 12 girls in specialist maths.
Mentor Program Structure
- Duration: Ideally mentors can commit for the two-year duration of the scholarship.
- Meeting Frequency: Once every two months, online or in-person.
- Orientation Session: A short online session hosted by AMSI to introduce mentors, outline expectations, and provide mentorship guidance.
- Program Outline:
- AMSI will provide 3-5 high-level questions to guide your conversation with the mentees. These can be used as icebreakers as you learn more about your mentee’s goals.
- In the first meeting, the mentor should ask the mentee their main goals they would like to work on throughout the duration of the program.
- Regular check-ins with AMSI program coordinators to ensure mentee growth and mentor support.
Qualities we are looking for in a Mentor
- A passion for mathematics
- Open-minded
- In a maths-related career or degree program
- A good communicator
- Wanting to make a difference in female maths and STEM participation
- Committed to breaking down stereotypes about women in mathematics
- Able to commit as a Yuille-Umbers Mentor for a minimum of 1 year, preferably 2
- Works sensitively & professionally with young people
- Hold a valid Working with Children Check
Benefits for Mentors
- Inspire Confidence in Young Women: As a mentor, you will play a pivotal role in empowering girls to pursue and excel in mathematics. The Yuille-Umbers Scholarship goal is to support female students from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete specialist mathematics in Years 11 and 12, paving the way for increased participation and diversity in mathematics. By sharing your knowledge and passion, you can encourage the scholars and showcase its significance in shaping the world around us.
- Join a Vibrant Community: Become part of a community working to strengthen the mathematical sciences pipeline and empower disadvantaged female high school students, by demonstrating the broader opportunities and the impact of studying maths.
- Make a Lasting Impact: Mentoring offers a unique opportunity to see your profession or field of study through the fresh eyes of your mentees. Engaging with underrepresented young women who are interested in maths can reinforce the reasons behind your career choices and the value of the change you’re helping to create.
Expected Outcomes for Mentees
- Increased confidence and preparedness for academic study and industry careers.
- Enhanced professional networks within the mathematical sciences.
- Lasting relationships with mentors and peers.
Program Evaluation
- End-of-year surveys for feedback from participants.
- Mentor and mentee testimonials to showcase program impact.
- Data collection on career progression of participants post-program.
