A universe of possibilities for women in STEM

This International Women in Engineering Day, we're celebrating Monash Engineering alumna Chloe Chang, a mechanical engineer helping design Australia's first lunar rover and creating pathways for more young women to pursue careers in STEM.

As a student at Monash University, Chloe co-led the Monash Nova Rover team to a second-place global finish at the University Rover Challenge (URC) in Utah, USA. Driven by a desire to break down stereotypes and spark critical conversations about diversity, she founded the "Pink Rover" initiative in 2022.

In a bold move that captured the attention of major industry advocates like Mecca M-Power and Westpac, the Monash Nova Rover team painted their competition space vehicle and 3D-printed componentry bright, hot pink.

"We wanted to shake up the traditional, often rigid image of what an engineer looks like," Chloe says. "Space can be technical, rigorous and pink all at the same time. It’s about showing young women that they don't have to change who they are to fit into STEM; STEM needs to expand to welcome them."

Today, she's shaping the future of space exploration at Lunar Outpost Oceania while championing diversity through her women-led, non-profit program, Ionique.

Founded by Chloe, Ionique is creating a direct "highway" into engineering for high school girls by involving students in real-world space robotics missions and harnessing the wonder of space exploration to inspire the next generation of women engineers.

As she continues to design systems destined for the lunar surface, Chloe is dedicated to ensuring the next generation of space explorers is diverse, inclusive and ready to take their own giant leaps.

Hear more from Chloe, her journey and how she supports women in STEM.