What is ESSTEAM™?
ESSTEAM™ is St Hilda’s unique learning framework that develops an entrepreneurial mindset through the lens of sustainability, integrating Science, Technology, English, the Arts and Mathematics within purposeful cross-curricular learning.
Rather than studying subjects in isolation, girls apply knowledge across disciplines to investigate authentic challenges, develop innovative solutions and make meaningful connections between classroom learning and the real world.
From Year 3 through to Year 9, ESSTEAM™ helps girls become curious learners, creative thinkers, innovative problem solvers and confident leaders.
How is ESSTEAM™ different from STEM?
While STEM focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, ESSTEAM™ expands learning by incorporating sustainability, the Arts and entrepreneurial thinking.
Girls don’t simply learn technical knowledge. They learn how to think critically, communicate ideas, collaborate effectively, apply design thinking and create sustainable solutions to real-world challenges.
This interdisciplinary approach reflects how problems are solved beyond the classroom, preparing girls for a rapidly changing world.
What does my daughter do in ESSTEAM™?
Girls work on authentic, project-based challenges that connect learning with real-world issues.
Depending on their year level, they might investigate biodiversity and design wildlife habitats, explore sustainable housing, create fire-smart communities, reduce plastic waste, develop products using recycled materials or investigate emerging technologies that improve environmental sustainability.
Throughout each project, girls research, collaborate, prototype, test, refine and present their ideas, building confidence through hands-on learning and authentic problem solving.
What skills does ESSTEAM™ develop?
ESSTEAM™ develops the capabilities girls need to thrive in school, university and future careers.
These include:
- critical and creative thinking
- collaboration and communication
- design thinking and innovation
- resilience and adaptability
- strategic planning and project management
- leadership and ethical decision making
- entrepreneurial thinking and problem solving.
These transferable skills prepare girls for a wide range of future pathways, regardless of the career they choose.
What year levels participate in ESSTEAM™?
Entrepreneurial thinking begins early at St Hilda’s.
From Year 1, girls participate in Units of Curiosity, where they develop inquiry skills and explore big ideas through cross-curricular learning.
ESSTEAM™ then becomes a dedicated program from Years 3 to 9, with a specialised Year 10 elective available for girls who wish to further develop their entrepreneurial, innovation and leadership capabilities.
Is ESSTEAM™ relevant for girls interested in medicine, science, engineering or the arts?
The program is not focused on preparing girls to start businesses. It develops transferable capabilities such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, adaptability and strategic problem solving. These skills are valuable across fields including medicine, science, engineering, law, sustainability, research, technology, design and the arts.
By working across disciplines and responding to authentic challenges, girls learn to apply knowledge in new contexts, consider different perspectives and turn ideas into practical solutions. This prepares them not only for a particular career, but also for the changing opportunities and challenges they will encounter throughout their lives.
How does ESSTEAM™ prepare girls for future careers?
Today’s careers require much more than subject knowledge. Employers increasingly value creativity, collaboration, adaptability, critical thinking and the ability to solve complex problems.
ESSTEAM™ prepares girls for this future by developing these capabilities through authentic learning experiences. Whether your daughter aspires to study medicine, engineering, law, science, design, business, sustainability or another field, she graduates with the confidence and skills to adapt, innovate and lead in an ever-changing world.
Why is entrepreneurship education important for girls?
Entrepreneurship education is not about encouraging every girl to start a business. It is about developing the mindset to recognise opportunities, solve problems creatively, lead with confidence and create positive change.
Research consistently shows that girls benefit from opportunities to build confidence, resilience, leadership and innovation skills in authentic learning environments. ESSTEAM™ provides these experiences from an early age, helping girls develop the confidence to turn ideas into action.
What makes St Hilda's ESSTEAM™ program different?
ESSTEAM™ is one of Australia’s largest and most comprehensive school-based entrepreneurship programs, spanning Years 3 to 9 with a dedicated Year 10 elective.
The program is underpinned by the Young Entrepreneurs of WA Framework and is built around six interconnected pillars: entrepreneurial skills, design thinking, authentic project-based learning, sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the work of female innovators, and partnerships with industry, government, community and tertiary organisations.
Girls progressively move from curiosity to creativity, innovation and leadership, applying their learning to authentic challenges that have real-world relevance. Through collaboration with industry and community partners, showcases and pitch events, they learn not only to solve problems, but to communicate ideas, inspire others and create meaningful impact.
