Teenage Girls Are Learning Critical Life Skills With New Course

Oct 21, 2021 by apost team

Do you remember how old you were the first time you had to pull over to change a flat tire? This is a common occurrence, but many people would be lost on how to solve the problem. Students in 11th grade at Stella Maris College in Manly, Sydney, Australia, participated in an event where they learned valuable car maintenance skills. The incursion was put on by the company Galmatic and covered life skills like how to change their car’s oil or replace a tire.

Galmatic says it is their mission to empower young women to take initiative when it comes to car maintenance and safety. They offer workshops and school incursions to teach women and teenagers basic automotive skills, as well as emergency and first-aid kits to keep in the car. 

Too often young women are reliant on the men in their lives to handle basic upkeep on their vehicles. Galmatic posts videos online so anyone can learn how to take care of their cars by themselves and gain independence on the road. Sure, you could pay someone to change your oil or replace a tire, but there is satisfaction in being able to handle those situations yourself.  

Roadside emergencies can happen to anyone, so it is best to be prepared. Other schools in Australia agree that these life skills are disappearing and should be taught to teens before they go off into adulthood. Empowering women and young people with knowledge about their cars can also make the road a safer place for everyone. Keep reading to learn more about Galmatic and its mission.

Eleni Mitakos, who is the founder of Galmatic, shared information about the company’s mission and outreach. “We teach up to 100,000 teenagers a year in schools, across all parts of Sydney,” she told Daily Mail Australia. “The primary aim is for teenagers to feel comfortable behind the wheel. Ultimately they are driving very big vehicles which can be very expensive if not looked after properly.”

Many teenagers are in a hurry to get their license and don’t consider the seriousness of being on the road. Galmatic helps young women feel empowered and stay safe by taking control of their car’s maintenance. “We can't stress enough to all our students you should never ignore a problem with your car, you need to address it for your own safety," Mitakos added. 

All of the students who participated in the event really enjoy the experience. Amy Smith, the Vice Principal of Stella Maris College, shared: “We had three groups of roughly 40 girls in what we call an incursion,” she said. “The feedback was very positive, the ladies from Galmatic were very patient and thorough in what they were explaining.”

These life skills also allow young women to learn about the value of self-reliance. Smith added, “All the teaching staff and our principal Elizabeth Carnegie felt a workshop like this would be beneficial for many reasons, mainly skills the girls need to learn before they leave school. It was also important to show the girls that they have the capabilities to handle situations themselves once they are on the road, rather than rely on someone else.”

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Do you know how to change your car’s oil or a flat tire? Would you consider taking a workshop like this? Let us know and feel free to pass this along to your friends and family.