STEMpower: Empowering young women in STEM

2023-2-CZ01-KA210-VET-000183488

Erasmus+

2024 - 2025

Project Bio

The underrepresentation of women in STEM fields is a widely known issue. Globally, only 30% of scientific research positions are held by women, and less than a third of female students pursue higher education in STEM disciplines. The gender gap is especially notable in ICT, with only about 19% of ICT specialists in the EU being female.

Recent years have seen an increase in women opting for STEM careers, but the disparity remains a significant concern. In 2019, all 27 EU states signed the Women in Digital Strategy to promote female participation in the STEM sector. This is of urgent importance due to the expanding digitalisation and technological reliance. In an increasingly tech-driven society, excluding 50% of the population from STEM skills could result in a significant societal disadvantage.

But why is this an issue?

• Diversity fosters innovation and better decision-making in companies, leading to improved economic progress
• Europe faces a shortage of ICT and STEM-related skills, emphasising the need to encourage more individuals into STEM fields
• On an individual level, pursuing a STEM career equips women and girls with essential skills for an increasingly digitalised world.

Project Objectives

This project's objective is to target young girls and illustrate the advantages of a STEM career. Representation is a critical barrier, so showcasing real women thriving in STEM provides tangible role models. By presenting the diversity of job roles within STEM, the project seeks to engage and guide girls towards STEM careers, illustrating that this domain is inclusive and accessible to all. In order to achieve these objectives, the project will:

• Provide real life role models to younger girls and women, showing them that a career in STEM is accessible and explaining the benefits with concrete examples of women who have achieved this.
• Challenge any misconceptions and perceived entry barriers to STEM fields, as well as providing girls and young women with real, useful information on the steps involved with following a STEM career path.

Partnerships

• ProEduca, Czech Republic
• EIA, Portugal
• CESUR, Spain

Main Project Outputs

•  Creation of Digital Stories on Women in STEM: the project will craft compelling digital stories profiling various accomplished female STEM professionals. These narratives will depict the inspiring career journeys of women in STEM, offering valuable insights on how to forge a successful path in these domains. Importantly, the stories will cover a spectrum of STEM careers, showcasing both well-known and less prominent roles to emphasize the diverse and multifaceted nature of the STEM landscape.
• Workshops for School-Aged Girls: Specialised workshops will be organised to showcase the aforementioned digital stories to school-aged girls. The workshops serve the purpose of providing young girls with real-life role models, dispelling misconceptions, and reinforcing the notion that women indeed belong in the STEM realm. In addition to showcasing these empowering STEM narratives, the workshops will incorporate tailored exercises created with the guidance of professional school career counsellors. These exercises will enhance the participants' understanding of STEM careers and potential pathways.
• Online Portal: The project will culminate in the creation of an accessible online platform to host the digital stories. This portal will serve as a hub for the dissemination of the impactful content, reaching a broader audience. Moreover, the online platform will feature informative resources about STEM careers, tailored to appeal to young girls. While the primary focus is on young girls, the information provided will be valuable and relevant to anyone interested in pursuing a STEM career, irrespective of age or gender.

Project outputs will be available to the public as open source in 2025.