STEM Awareness Campaigns

“I’m too girly to be an engineer” Gender stereotypes are still so ingrained in young people’s perceptions of career opportunities. It was a throw-away comment from one of this group, who then went on to win their STEMAZING Structures Challenge where we were looking for #creativity and #collaboration in design. In this workshop we kicked off by asking the groups what they thought an Engineer was. The usual ideas are - someone who fixes things - someone who works with metal - some who works on cars But you can see the lightbulb moments when we show them examples of diverse engineers doing things like medical devices, performance technology in sport, film set design, sustainable food production, humanitarian aid, sound equipment for music concerts, building wildlife bridges. The Royal Academy of Engineering #ThisIsEngineering campaign is fantastic for eye catching content to showcase the exciting diversity in engineering. This is a brilliant way to start and end a workshop. But showing them videos and talking to them is not enough. You need to get them involved. Get them practicing skills that show them they have what it takes to be an engineer if they want to. Hands-on #STEM challenges connect and engage your audience. Young kids thrive on them and it keeps their attention, but I’ve seen even the most disinterested of teenagers get totally engrossed and engaged once they start experimenting hands-on themselves. This team pictured here (with their permission to share) blew me away as they worked so well together exploring different design options with iterative experimentation to work out what would fail and what would work. That is creativity and collaboration and courage in action! #innovation and #problemsolving. Key attributes for #engineers. Turns out you can be girly AND be an engineer. We’re not trying to say everyone MUST do engineering. We’re opening their eyes to the possibility it could be for them. We’re helping them appreciate the everyday engineering in the world around them that is so easy to take for granted. We’re showing them how awesome it is to be curious about the wondrous world around us. We’re showing them ways they can be part of solutions to problems they care about. We need more #rolemodels running workshops like this so we can reach more young people. For support on how to do this effectively you can get involved in our STEMAZING #community open to ALL 🎉 #diversity #inclusion #inspiration #impact

Building a Future for Women in Science: A Call to Action   Today, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (https://lnkd.in/dar9TapP) , and I would like to reflect on the essential role that women play in the #STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). This day should serve as a call to action to build a more #inclusive future for girls and women in these areas.   As the Head of a Tech center (Technology Delivery Center Barcelona - ServiZurich) and a mother of an 11-year-old girl, I want to emphasize the importance of fostering interest in #science and #technology among new generations. #Diverse teams drive #innovation, #creativity, and progress in research and development. However, women still make up only 28% of the world's scientific research positions. This gender gap limits the potential of half the population and hinders scientific advancement. As leaders in our industries, we must cultivate environments where women can thrive and contribute their talents to the world of science.   To empower women in STEM, we must amplify their voices. Initiatives like Technovation Girls, which empower young girls with the tools and skills needed to spark their interest in tech and science, are exemplary. These programs inform and inspire the next generations to become the scientists and technologists of the future. Additionally, initiatives like #WomenLiderTIC and the Stem Women Congress are essential for creating opportunities for dialogue, mentorship, and networking among women in STEM.   Closing the gender gap in science requires a multifaceted approach. First, we need to focus on education, ensuring equal access to STEM education for girls from an early age. It's also crucial to break social and cultural stereotypes—the outdated mindset that science and technology are not for girls—which discourage them from pursuing these fields. By providing mentorship and support, we can help young women navigate their educational and career paths.   Moreover, advocating for policies that promote gender equality in the workplace is equally important. This includes equal pay, parental leave, and flexible working arrangements that accommodate women’s diverse needs. At Technology Delivery Center Barcelona - ServiZurich, we are committed to diversity and inclusion at all levels, from hiring practices to leadership positions.   Finally, fostering a culture that appreciates women’s contributions in science is critical. Recognition and visibility can change perceptions and inspire future generations.   Together, we can create a future where women are not only present in science but are also leading and innovating. It is our collective responsibility to build a more inclusive and equitable scientific community. Let us ensure that the voices of women and girls in science are heard, valued, and empowered. EJE&CON Asociación Española de Ejecutiv@s y Consejer@s ITINERARIO PROMOCIONA

I’m thrilled to share that my opinion piece, “Pathways into Pathology Are Disappearing,” is now live in The Pathologist! A huge thank you to Helen Bristow and the incredible team at The Pathologist for providing a platform to amplify this critical conversation. 🙌Yvonne Betts MIEP CertEP As a leader in STEM, STEM Ambassador, and founder of BAMS Space: No Ceiling, I’ve seen first-hand how accessible pathways can transform lives. My own journey into STEM wasn’t traditional—after struggling with A-levels, an HND in Applied Biology gave me a lifeline, leading to my BSc and career in laboratory medicine. But navigating accreditation and HCPC registration was another hurdle, teaching me that education, awareness, and access are everything. The UK’s decision to scrap the healthcare science T Level is a setback for future healthcare scientists, especially students from underrepresented communities who need vocational routes to thrive in pathology. With the NHS facing over 100,000 vacancies and a 173,000 STEM worker shortfall, we can’t afford to close these doors. The T Level’s hands-on training in microbiology, haematology, and more is vital for building a diverse, skilled workforce in laboratory medicine. In my article, I share my story and propose solutions—national awareness campaigns, scholarships, employer incentives, and clear career guides—to ensure T Levels reach those who, like me, might not see STEM as their path. Without these pathways, we risk deepening inequities and starving pathology of talent. Read the full piece here: 👇 https://lnkd.in/ePT_yERb Let’s advocate for education, awareness, and access to keep pathology’s future open for all. Join me in this fight—share your thoughts, tag colleagues, and let’s push for change! 💪 #STEM #Pathology #EDI #TLevels #HealthcareScience #NHS #BiomedicalScience #DiversityInSTEM #STEMEducation #LaboratoryMedicine #EquityInScience #FutureScientists #CareerPathways #NHSWorkforce #InclusiveEducation #Educators #Pathways #Access Special thanks to The Pathologist team for their support in bringing this message to life.

"One of the most effective ways to increase the number of women in STEM is by encouraging early interest in these fields. Research shows that girls often lose interest in STEM subjects during middle and high school, partly due to a lack of female role models and societal stereotypes that suggest STEM is a male domain. To counteract this, companies can partner with educational institutions to support programs that engage girls in STEM from a young age. This could include sponsoring coding camps, science fairs, or math competitions aimed specifically at girls, or providing mentorship opportunities where female professionals in STEM share their experiences and insights. Moreover, organizations can influence curriculum development to ensure that STEM subjects are taught in ways that appeal to both genders. This could involve integrating real-world applications of STEM that align with the interests of young women, such as environmental science, healthcare, or digital media. By demonstrating the diverse and impactful career paths that STEM education can lead to, companies can help shift perceptions and inspire more girls to pursue these fields." Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eZSJWk3V #WomenInSTEM #GirlsInSTEM #STEMGems #GiveGirlsRoleModels

Today, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, is dedicated to promoting gender equality in STEM fields. It’s no secret that women and girls are still facing barriers and stereotypes that prevent them from pursuing careers in science. Women make up only one third of STEM academic and research staff, are usually given smaller research grants, hold a minority of top-level positions than men, and face gender pay gap. With all these barriers, how can we promote more inclusivity and encourage more women to study and work in STEM? Here is my suggestion: ✅ Awareness  Raise awareness about stereotypes and biases that women in STEM are facing. The movie “Picture A Scientist” is a great documentary that highlights gender inequality in science. Before watching this movie, consider the image of a scientist. What gender do you imagine, if any? ✅ Nurture  We usually develop interests and skills from an early age. Providing girls with opportunities for exposure and engagement early in STEM subjects and activities is a good way to help them discover their interests and potential career paths. As a woman in STEM, my own interest in science started early. Being encouraged and having the opportunities to pursue my interest certainly nurtured my passion for science. ✅ Inspire Having exposure to female STEM role models plays a significant role to inspire girls with a passion for science to pursue careers in STEM fields. Acknowledge female role models in STEM fields through media, literature, and outreach programs. ✅ Support Provide equal opportunities for women in STEM careers. This includes pay equity, funding and publishing opportunities, parity in senior positions, as well as flexibility to maintain work-life balance. 🔆 Breaking the stereotypes and barriers does not happen overnight. It requires consistent effort, advocacy, and a collective commitment to change. Let's continue to challenge gender gap and create inclusive environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. This will lead to greater innovation, creativity, and success in science and technology. 💬 What other tips would you add to attract more women and girls in STEM fields? Please share in the comments. #WomenInSTEM #LinkedinNewsAustralia

Although #InternationalDayoftheGirl was earlier this month, the need to empower young girls, particularly in STEM, is a conversation we should be having every day. According to UNESCO, only 35% of STEM graduates globally are women, a figure that has barely shifted in the last decade. There’s still so much more work to do. That’s why projects like Science is a Superpower, a collaboration I worked on with Nikki May and the brilliant team at Museums Victoria, are so important. For this project, we focused on reframing the language around STEM. We wanted to make science feel more relatable, especially for girls who often hear terms like 'math' or 'physics' and feel it’s not for them. Instead of technical jargon, we introduced STEM as a set of superpowers—curiosity, creativity, strength, kindness and problem-solving. By making science more engaging, relatable and fun, we aimed to show girls that STEM is something they can excel in, not something to shy away from. This project is just one piece of a much bigger effort to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders. But we need to keep these conversations going every day. I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can continue using language to inspire and uplift the next generation. Check out Science is a Superpower on the Museums Victoria YouTube channel! #VisionForTheFuture #GirlsInSTEM #ScienceIsASuperpower

It’s fantastic to see sailing inspiring the next generation of students to engage with STEM in the classroom. Cobham and Ultra Electronics Group partnered with Athena Pathway and 1851 Trust on the Schools Roadshow, a programme designed to showcase the various ways science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) open exciting career doors, including in the world of sailing. To mark #NationalEngineeringDay, we have released our impact report on this incredible programme. Future progress will be driven by great engineering talent, and 98% of participating students in the Schools Roadshow programme expressed an increased interest in pursuing #STEM careers following the events— a critical step towards tackling the UK’s STEM skills shortage, which is anticipated to cost the economy up to £120 billion by 2030. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/endvE-jX

The STEM workforce is still not gender equal. As women in the field, it is our responsibility to make the environment more welcoming and inclusive. Thanks to Amazon and Women* In Science and Engineering (WISE) for this collaborative initiative that allows college students like me to mentor high school students and educate them about STEM fields. This was my second year mentoring, and I'm thrilled to share some inspiring success metrics: 📈 Awareness of STEM Careers: Before mentoring, only 13% of my mentees felt they had a good idea of what jobs fell into STEM categories. After six months, this number jumped to 56.4%! 🌟 Guidance and Support: The percentage of mentees who felt they had strong mentors increased from 24.1% to 56.4%. 💪 Confidence in Pursuing Dreams: Initially, 27.8% felt confident about pursuing their dreams, which rose to an impressive 69.2%. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive: - “I feel more comfortable with my possible future passions and goals” - "The robotics part was really fun I enjoyed it so much my cheeks started hurting from smiling." - "It helped me realize that it’s not as intimidating as it seems and that while it may be hard it’s possible." These results not only demonstrate the power of mentorship but also highlight the importance of providing practical, real-world exposure and support to the next generation of STEM leaders. Let's work together to make STEM more inclusive and inspiring for everyone. #WomenInSTEM #Mentorship #ProductManagement #DiversityInTech #womenintech #STEM