I am excited to announce the launch of the STEMAZING Inspiration Academy. This has been a dream of mine for a while - to combine the work I have been doing separately with STEMAZINGwomen and STEMAZINGKids to create a vehicle to scale and have more impact. The new initiative will support women in STEM to shine as visible role models and inspire young people through fun, interactive online STEM sessions.
STEM is the combination of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. These foundational subjects are generally required to open doors to careers in applied science, technology and engineering which are severely lacking diversity. For example, only 12% of engineers are women.
Sponsored by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, World Refrigeration Day, Brunel University London and Amey Plc, the Inspiration Academy is open to women in STEM and Primary schools to participate for free. All of the sponsors are committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive STEM workforce.
The programme includes training and workshops for women in STEM to build their confidence on camera and their STEM delivery toolbox. These newly empowered role models then deliver a 6-week programme of LIVE online STEM sessions designed to engage children aged 5 - 9 years old.
Schools benefit by taking part in hands-on simple STEM activities and experiments to promote children's curiosity, creativity and courage led by a woman in STEM role model.
We know one of the main reasons girls do not consider pursuing STEM subjects is a lack of female role models. It is so important to give young children examples of women in STEM role models early, as we know gender stereotypes are formed way before children reach secondary school and start deciding what subjects they want to pursue. We need to change the stereotype that science, technology, engineering and maths are better suited to boys.
We need more people to choose STEM careers full stop, but desperately need more diversity in these fields. I hope this programme will give more women in STEM the confidence and tools to shine as visible role models and feel empowered to step forward and inspire our future generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
STEMAZING Inspiration Academy is open to women in STEM and schools to register their interest for participating. The deadline is 26th February 2021. The programme for women in STEM will start on 1st March and the STEM sessions for schools will run in May and June 2021.
For more information and to apply to participate - women in STEM and schools should visit the website page:www.stemazingltd.com/inspiration-academy.
