Jade Bassett
Rutherford Technology High School, NSW
Wonnarua
Teaching Fellow
Jade Bassett is an early career teacher making an impressive impact through her ground-breaking Women in STEM program at Rutherford Technology High School in regional NSW. Starting her journey in education at just 18 through a rare teaching cadetship, Jade combines deep classroom experience with a powerful commitment to equity, innovation and student voice.
Her work is centred on empowering disengaged and underrepresented students — particularly Indigenous girls and young women from disadvantaged backgrounds — to see themselves as future scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators. Through hands-on, project-based learning and real-world industry partnerships, Jade’s students design prosthetics, build hydrogen-powered cars, and pitch business ideas to investors. Attendance and engagement have soared, with some students moving from less than 10% attendance to studying advanced STEM subjects in senior school.
Jade’s systems-thinking extends beyond the classroom. She collaborates across faculties to develop cross-curricular, tech-enabled learning, mentor’s teachers to embed culturally responsive practices, and partners with universities, industry and local councils to amplify student outcomes. Her annual Women in STEM Brunch brings together over 200 students, families and female industry leaders to network, share stories and spark future pathways.
Driven by data, purpose and student-led change, Jade is re-shaping how schools approach equity in STEM — and proving that age and experience are no barrier to systemic impact.