She Maps is a regional startup on a mission to inspire greater diversity in the STEM workforce with their drone technologies and geospatial program.
With only 27 percent of STEM jobs in Australia occupied by women, engagement in STEM across the education curriculum is needed to improve diversity and representation in this field.
While She Maps aims to encourage more girls to take part in STEM learning, it is a company also committed to helping every student succeed in STEM and is passionate about giving kids the tools to do so.
The She Maps drone and geospatial programs are mapped to the Australian Curriculum and industry aligned and are designed to help teachers implement digital technologies in the classroom.
Since launching, more than 260 She Maps programs have been taught to more than 6500 students and teachers across the globe. They have created a blog to highlight and inspire people to use drone technologies and launched the She Maps Impact Program which aims to globally scale-up STEM education in under-represented areas to create a diverse and equal STEM workforce.
She Maps has taken part in many programs supported by Advance Queensland. They were recipients of the 2017 Engaging Science Grants, the inaugural winners of the Adopt-a-Chief program with Leanne Kemp, finalists for the SparkPlug program and participants in the 2020 SheEO Activator program supported by the Female Founders program.
Co-founder of She Maps, Dr Karen Joyce said she is extremely grateful for the varied support Advance Queensland has provided on her innovation journey.
“Advance Queensland has been instrumental in building our networks of supportive, strong, like-minded people with a social conscience,” Karen said.
“They have set our state aside in terms of innovation funding and support more broadly.
“I feel hugely privileged to have access to so many intelligent, enthusiastic, and exciting people.
“In the next five years, I look forward to seeing some continuity in businesses past the start-up phase, with those whose journey is more mature being able to mentor new innovators along the way.”
