Driven by the community, for the community.
STEM Wana’s purpose is to promote awareness of opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to young people through community events, collaborations and meaningful partnerships.
There is a global shortage of people entering STEM study which will ultimately result in a shortage of problem solvers we need for the next generation. We also want to ensure diversity in STEM by encouraging and cultivating talent and promoting the full inclusion of excellence across the social spectrum in Aotearoa.
STEM Wana Trust – Board of Trustees
We currently focus on three core initiatives, STEM in the Community outreach, Tinkd Makerspace located in Tauranga’s CBD, and the annual multi-award winning Tauranga STEM Festival (STEMFest) held in October.
Our charity formed in 2019 and we developed and delivered the first Tauranga STEM Festival which won the TECT Community Awards for Event Excellence.
In 2020 the Trust reimagined STEM engagement in a COVID-19 world and with the support of local, regional, and national funders was able to deliver on a STEM programme of community events, culminating in a STEM HQ Discovery Centre which welcomed ~3,500 visitors over a period of three months.
In 2021 the Trust developed and delivered on a series of outreach activities around the Bay of Plenty and started work on planning and organising the second STEMFest.
In 2022 we delivered the second edition of STEMFest with ~5,000 participants and won for the second time in a row for Event Excellence from Western Bay Community Events.
In 2023, we partnered with NASA for a tour across the North Island with NASA Astronaut Dr. Kate Rubins and in October we held the third edition of STEMFest welcomed ~6,000 participants.
In 2024 we will be delivering an extensive STEM in the Community programme with outreach to schools, and a Summer Tour of the North Island as well as delivering the fourth edition of STEMFest in the October school holidays.
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What does ‘Wana’ mean?
1. (noun) excitement, thrill, exhilaration, fervour, verve, gusto, zeal, zest, passion, energy, sparkle, liveliness, pizazz.
2. (verb) to be exciting, thrilling, inspiring, stimulating, moving, rousing.
3. (verb) to bud, shoot (of a plant), sprout, come to life.
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About STEMFest
Tauranga STEM Festival (STEMFest) was the first major project developed by the Trust.
In 2019, Tauranga STEM Festival was the first event of its kind to be held in New Zealand as part of the global celebration and the first ever Ada Lovelace Day Official Partner Event outside of the U.K. We are proud to run in conjunction with our sister event Peterborough STEM Festival in the U.K.
Some interesting stats from STEMFest 2019…
The concept for STEMFest was originally inspired by Ada Lovelace Day (ALD). Ada Lovelace was a mathematician who worked with Charles Babbage and was considered the first female computer programmer, before computers even existed, back in 1843.
ALD is an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths. It aims to increase the profile of women in STEM and, in doing so, create new role models who will encourage more girls into STEM careers and support women already working in STEM.
Promoting opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to young people and their families through inspiring community events, collaboration, and partnerships. Owner of award winning STEMFest.
STEM Wana Trust is a Registered Charity CC56830. GST 128-053-433 | Registered Office: Basestation, 148 Durham Street, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, NZ