
STAV STEM Regional, STEM Metro and LabTech 2020 Online Conference
September 11, 2020 @ 8:00 am – October 9, 2020 @ 5:00 pm
Advancing STEM education for all
STAV are excited to announce that the previously postponed STEM Regional, STEM Metro and LabTech conferences will all run in a new online conference format. These conferences will launch on Friday August 28th, 2020 and close six weeks later on Friday October 9th, 2020. This conference offers both asynchronous and synchronous experiences for delegates.
This conference offers both asynchronous and synchronous experiences for delegates. We hope that this window supports more of you, our teachers and Laboratory Technicians, to access these conferences at a time convenient to you.
By registering for this conference you will have access to:
- asynchronous video presentations from our presenters across the STEM and LabTech fields, with access to this content from Friday August 28th, on the Conferences’ soft launch day
- the option of joining our two synchronous (live) days to:
- watch our three keynotes,
- participate in the STEM regional forum and
- contribute to a Q &A webinars with some of our presenters (after viewing their asynchronous presentations).
- These synchronous sessions will be recorded, so if you can’t make it you can catch up later.
- Selection of sessions for these synchronous days will be accessible for delegates closer to the days. Further information will be sent to delegates after the conference launch day.
- STAV/Stile Trivia night- 7-9pm Friday October 9th 2020- details and sign-up coming soon!
Keynote 1 – Friday 11 September
Time: 9.15 am – 9.40 am
STEM Opens Many Doors

Dr Amanda Caples, Lead Scientist
Amanda joined the Victorian public service in 2002 as the inaugural Director of Biotechnology and subsequently was appointed as the Executive Director Science and Technology and Deputy Secretary Sector Development and Programs to drive the state’s science agenda. In these roles, Amanda has led the development of industry sector strategy plans, delivered research-led health initiatives, regulatory and legislative scientific reforms and established international business development and research alliances. Amanda has worked with Commonwealth agencies on national science and innovation policies and programs, including the Australian Synchrotron and the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme.
Keynote 2 – Friday 11 September
Time: 9.45 am – 10.25 am
Wangaratta to the edge of the universe

Krystal De Napoli
Krystal De Napoli is a proud Kamilaroi woman and aspiring astrophysicist studying at Monash University, researching the ways in which her love for her culture and her passion for science intersect.
Krystal uses her platform as a scientific communicator to deliver a series of public lectures on the field of Indigenous science, presenting the intricate and complex understanding our First Nations people have of the night sky and its objects.
Krystal has worked as a summer intern within the CSIRO’s Data61, and has completed research into detecting exoplanets from light curve data and understanding the astrophysical significance of the Pleiades in Indigenous astronomical traditions. In 2018 Krystal became the first non-genomicist to be awarded the Illumina Women in Genomics Bracelet, which acts as a visible token of appreciation to a woman for making a noteworthy contribution to a scientific field, with distinguished leadership and a devotion to teaching.
Keynote 3 – Friday 9 October
Time: 11.00 am – 12.15 pm
STEM For All: Making it Happen

Felicity Furey
An award-winning engineer, business entrepreneur and an advocate for change, Felicity Furey’s tenacious spirit, infectious energy and relentless drive to create a better world inspires students, emerging leaders and their communities to re-engineer what’s possible in the future of education and STEM. From standing as one of just 12 women in her graduating class of 120 to being named BOSS Magazine’s Young Executive of The Year and ‘Innovative Engineer of The Year’, Felicity has always made it her mission to make the ‘impossible’ possible.
From the classroom to the boardroom, Felicity takes a no holds barred approach to driving change in her industry and creating a world that works for everybody. Her passion for engineering and her lifelong desire to improve diversity and equity across industries led her to found Machinam in 2013 and Power of Engineering in 2012 – two groundbreaking organisations encouraging the next generation to consider careers in STEM through real-world applications and opportunities. Felicity’s accolades range from Engineer Australia’s ‘Innovative Engineer of The Year’ award to the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence. In 2019 she was named as an Engineers Australia Centenary Hero and selected as a Superstar of STEM.
Felicity regularly shares her insights on Young Entrepreneurship, The Future of Work, Millennial Leadership, Diversity in STEM and the importance of reframing ‘failures’ as moments of growth and resilience with over 120,000 people across Australia, Asia and the United States. In 2020, Felicity is on a mission to reach her goal of 1 million hours of volunteering for STEM schools, with a focus on coaching and training 10,000 emerging leaders to ‘do the impossible’ for themselves, their schools and for their broader communities.


Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc. acknowledges the support of the Department of Education and Training through the Strategic Partnerships Program.