The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources has launched a strategy to encourage more women to enter the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields for their careers.
The strategy, Advancing Women in STEM, highlights that an attraction to the subjects can begin at an early age.
“Stereotypical views about STEM study and careers and a lack of role models are some of the factors that influence girls’ early interest in STEM,” the strategy says.
The Department said that in order to address the barriers, the strategy identified the need to make women more visible in STEM.
“We need to show the opportunities which STEM can offer for girls’ and women’s futures, and that STEM education and careers are viable, interesting paths for everybody,” the Department said.
In support of this, the Future You initiative had been launched, aiming to inspire girls to take part in STEM subjects and consider where these could take them in their future careers.
“Australian Government Women in STEM Ambassador, Lisa Harvey-Smith leads the Future You initiative whose main feature is the Future You website for children aged eight-to-12, and their parents and carers,” the Department said.
“The website provides information about different jobs that use STEM skills. A series of animated videos and skill-based games feature 12 diverse characters with different STEM-skilled jobs.”
It said the diversity of the characters broke down stereotypes about who could work in STEM and where the subjects could take them.
“They highlight the exciting and interesting things people do with STEM skills in a wide range of fields and how their work has a positive social impact,” the Department said.
The Department’s strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
