‘How can I apply STEM to where my passions lie?’

Sixteen-year-old Nora Quigley says she’s ‘‘not naturally an Einstein’’, and not even the smartest scientist in her class.

But she’s passionate about using science to make real changes in the world, is already developing a biodegradable plastic polystyrene alternative using mushroom fibres and is already well down the path of climate change activism and environmental science.

The Timaru teenager said she didn’t look at STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths – as requirements for a career. ‘‘It was more, how can I apply STEM to where my passions lie?’’

Quigley isn’t fazed by statistics that show boys outperform girls in maths and science subjects.

‘‘There’s just so many opportunities for young women to apply STEM outside of an academic context. I think in that way it’s hard to look at our NCEA results and say young females aren’t the future of STEM.

‘‘All these opportunities didn’t come out of me excelling in