Grants

Shaping STEM Futures Grants

Adobe Innovation Grants & Digital Storytelling Initiatives (2020–present)

Since 2020, we have secured five consecutive Adobe Innovation Grants, each supporting the design of authentic assessments and digital storytelling initiatives under the Shaping STEM Futures platform. These grants enabled flagship programs such as Start Talking, Design for Change, Pitch It Clever, and STEM Infographics, engaging nearly 2,000 students across Melbourne and Sarawak (SEP 2025). The initiatives strengthened student creativity, digital confidence, and communication skills, while generating scalable resources including assessment rubrics, workshop templates, and the forthcoming Communication Literacy Toolkit.

1. Empowering Science Communication with Economic Impact (2020)

Empowered science students to pitch STEM ideas with economic and societal impact using Adobe Rush.
Partnered with IAG and the Royal Society of Victoria to embed authentic communication and entrepreneurial skills into Communication for Scientists.

2. Design for Change in STEM (2021)

Expanded into Shaping STEM Futures, engaging multidisciplinary FSET teams.
Students developed STEM prototypes using Adobe Illustrator and XD, pitching directly to IAG and the Invergowrie Foundation.

3. Communicate & Pitch with STEMM Data (2021)

Created a cross-disciplinary project where students designed STEM infographics using Adobe Spark.
Enhanced digital literacy, creativity, and outreach by inspiring younger audiences, in alignment with IAG and City of Boroondara’s vision.

4. InScIT Report: Scientific & IT Report – The Next Level (2022)

Developed InScIT using Adobe Express and InDesign.
Students produced professional science reports bridging technical accuracy with digital storytelling — scaffolding skills for manuscript-style academic writing.

5. Innovation Course Program (ICP) (2023)

Designed approaches to support digital literacies and hyflex learning for international students across course levels.
Students created inclusive digital content using multiple Adobe apps, aligned with IAG and Study Melbourne’s vision to support international students and meet Victorian Government priorities.

6. Bridging Media & STEM through Podcasting

Advanced Shaping STEM Futures with inclusive digital storytelling projects.
STEM and media students collaborated with a career consultant to co-create podcasts using Adobe Audition, where media students interviewed STEM capstone peers. Supported by STEM Sisters and BrainSTEM, this fostered employability, communication, and real-world interdisciplinary experience across Melbourne and Sarawak.

National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund (NPILF)

1. Science Spectra

A Shaping STEM Futures WIL initiative offering science communication packages to enhance STEM appreciation.
Promotes sustainability, Indigenous engagement, and career exploration, inspiring lifelong STEM learning and active citizenship.

2. Transforming Waste - STEM Students Leading Urban Composting Innovation

A Shaping STEM Futures will initative redesigning the invessel composter with prototype construction, automation, and compost, testing. This project tackles urban waste challenges while equipping students with hands-on skills as sustainability innovators.

New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Grants

Students engaged with Indigenous researchers, NGOs, government agencies, and industry through site visits and collaborative projects. They pitched solutions to sustainability challenges and produced outputs such as documentaries, policy briefs, and school workshops.

Design for Global Change: Climate Change in Malaysia

Empowered multidisciplinary student teams to co-create STEM prototypes addressing climate change and sustainability challenges in Malaysia.
Built employability, cultural competency, and global citizenship through partnerships with Malaysian Green Technology, University Malaya, and NGOs.

Indonesia Design for Global Change: Inspiring Women in STEM

Focused on STEM communication and inspiring young women in STEM, aligned with Indonesia’s “Making Indonesia 4.0” strategy.
Students collaborated with NGOs (Generation Girl, Girls4Tech, Artemis) and industry to design digital solutions, strengthening equity and Indo-Pacific partnerships.Built employability, cultural competency, and global citizenship through partnerships with Malaysian Green Technology, University Malaya, and NGOs.

These initiatives scaled from classroom pilots to cross-campus, interdisciplinary showcases, producing over 100 national finalists and embedding digital storytelling as a recognised model of WIL. In 2025, a dedicated website will launch as an enduring digital WIL toolkit for educators and students, extending the sector-wide influence of these programs.

The programs built intercultural competence, employability, and global citizenship, connecting STEM learning to climate action and sustainable development.