STEMM Programs

The STEMM program operates four days per week. STEMM is located in one building in which there is a  teaching  classroom with computer access, a common room and two rooms which operate as adjunct care facilities for the participants children.

STEMM is:

Supporting: Pregnant girls and young mothers in a safe, non-judgemental environment with individual support plans developed by trained case managers. Case management meetings are held on a weekly basis to review individual support plans and respond to emergent issues.

Teenagers: The students are given the opportunity to develop life-skills, parenting, self-worth, healthy relationships, pre and post birth plans.  

Education: In partnership with Education Queensland, the Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE and the University of the Sunshine Coast, girls will be able to re-engage with learning pathways towards certified outcomes. The STEMM program has the following educational pathways:
•    Foundations to Literacy and Numeracy (Burnside SHS)
•   Certificate 3 in Childrens Services (Sunshine Coast TAFE)
•    Flexible Education Courses
•    Tertiary Preparation Program TPP (Sunshine Coast University)

Each STEMM student is engaged in some form of education. In the case where the student did not complete to year 10 standard their learning plan is tailor-made to encourage improvement in literacy and numeracy and not on failure. It is about celebrating small successes along the way.

Mothering: All girls are given the opportunity to develop their mothering skills through access to a variety of experts in maternity services, breastfeeding consultation and child health services. It is imperative that the students parenting skills are developed. Supported playgroup, family care, child health and mental health programs all assist to attain this goal.

Mentoring: Girls are individually matched with carefully selected and trained mentors. Mentors are volunteers who take responsibility for being a friendly ear to offer advice and meet with their STEMM student regularly for approximately one hour per week.

                                                     STEMM Creative Art

Education

Parenting

Pathways

Outcomes  for STEMM

• Increased participation rate of pregnant or parenting students in education.
• Improved perception of educational setting that supports pregnant and parenting students.
• Increased service delivery and support for pregnant and parenting students.
• Increased improvement in parenting skills and ability to balance education and family.
• First graduating student from STEMM starts a Bachelor of Business University
• Increased involvement of numerous community agencies/organisations.