Our latest blog comes from the Institute of Physics and demonstrates the implementation and practice of principle two of the Charter
'For more than 25 years, only around 20% of students progressing on to A-level physics have been girls. The gender divide only gets bigger as you look higher up the careers ladder – for example, only 9% of the UK’s engineering workforce is female. Challenging the problem at school level is key. One of the approaches that we recommend is to engage girls with the issues and help them to own the problem. Science: It’s a People Thing is designed to inform girls about the opportunities in STEM and the shortage of women in these careers, and to encourage them to be aware of gender stereotyping and challenge it when they see it'.
The Institute of Physics worked in partnership with WISE and Intel to create this workshop, designed to inspire girls about the STEM subjects in which they are under-represented, such as physics and computer science. It shows them how these subjects connect with issues girls care about and their importance as a gateway into a wide range of interesting jobs and careers. The workshop uses role models to facilitate small group discussion and explore gender stereotyping in a comfortable and safe environment. The session is suitable for girls aged 13-16, but could be easily adapted for use with a younger age group, aged 11-12.
This new discussion workshop was piloted with girls at the Big Bang Fair in London in March 2013. Girls who came to the sessions told us they appreciated the opportunity to discuss these issues with other girls. This was especially important for those who came from co-educational schools.
During the workshop, girls are shown the It’s a Girl Thing video, produced by the European Commission, as a starter for conversations around gender stereotyping and images of women in science. They are also asked to discuss some of the shocking statistics on girls and women in STEM, via a short quiz. Another discussion starter uses controversial comments on girls and science and engineering careers and asks for their response.
The girls are also invited to quiz the facilitators on their careers and their lives, finding out exactly how they got to where they are today and the challenges that they faced along the way.
The resource includes supporting material and organisational advice for organisers and facilitators, with all that is needed to run a session of either 60-90 minutes, or a longer half-day event. The pack can be used by teachers or STEM ambassadors/role models going into schools. It could also be used by teachers as part of a lesson plan, or by volunteers in a workplace as an outreach activity. It includes advice on how to find role models and brief them as well as an editable PowerPoint too use in the workshop. There is also a call-to-action z-card for students to take away from the event, which can be ordered in bulk from the IOP.
"There are a lot of options and opportunities in the science field. It does not only revolve around medicine etc." (workshop participant, aged 16)
“I will tell my friends and family about the facts I have learnt and hopefully inspire others as I have been inspired today.” (workshop participant, aged 13)
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