The 12th of February 2023 marks a significant date for Stemettes – its 10th Birthday. The year will include many celebrations, including festivals and roundtable discussions, which you can find out more about here.
To kick off the celebrations, Stemettes will be getting together on the 13th of February to host a significant event highlighting the lack of women in STEM role models in the GCSE / A-Level curriculum.
In short, this event will be a procession across Waterloo Bridge by the Stemettes team and supporters.
The team have chosen Waterloo Bridge, also known as ‘The Ladies Bridge’ as its location for this event for a reason.
During World War II, the bridge was built by a number of women who have failed to be recognised for its creation.
Through the work of historians, professors and investigators, the work of these women is coming to light, Stemettes aim to further this by showing that women play a vital role in STEM fields, even though society hasn’t highlighted them the way they deserve.
Stemettes have separately commissioned a survey with the BSA (British Science Association) into the current state of affairs in schools; the findings of which will be shared in the days following the event, but our top findings include:
- 1 in 3 young people say they haven’t or don’t remember being taught about a woman scientist in the past two years
- 70% of young people between the ages of 14-to-19 who were surveyed also said they thought it was important for schools to include information about women STEM role models in their lessons. Boys (71%) are just as likely to agree with this statement as girls (65%)
The event will begin at 12:00pm, outside the Southbank Centre.
Once gathered, Stemettes, as well as girls, young women, non-binary young people and their friends and families will proceed across the bridge in mass, ending at the IET (The Institution of Engineering and Technology) where Head Stemette Anne-Marie Imafidon will give a keynote speech, highlighting the significance of the event.
Supporters are also asked to dress up as their favourite woman in STEM if they would like, to further showcase our message.
In conclusion, this event is for everyone who believes there should be equal representation of the work women in STEM have done, are doing, and will continue to do.
Sign up here.
