Girls into Engineering @UniNorthants

 A recent presentation on work done to encourage Girls into Engineering

To see more of the projects go to:  http://www.northampton.ac.uk/info/200284/widening-participation/1132/projects

Redefining Women in IT - Special Commendation

A poster has presented at the ‘Gender and Interdisciplinary Education for Engineers -  GIEE 2011’ UPMC - Campus des Cordeliers, Paris, France., By Rashmi Dravid (School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton) and Catherine Klimes (Head of Careers and Employability, University of Northampton). The poster focused on their work on encouraging and developing women in technological subjects. 

Their poster received special commendation at the Conference.

Mind the Gender Gap – Reflections on addressing gender diversity in Computing and Engineering

Members of the school are to present a paper at the Learning Global Conference, Northampton 11th May 2011 on the work done within the school on addressing the gender gap in engineering and computer-engineering.


Presenter: Tricia Goodchild, Rashmi Dravid and Scott Turner


Summary

Worldwide, many studies have shown that numbers of women choosing to study and work in the respective industries is low in  both Computing  (for example Wilson, 2003; Tillberg and McGrath 2005) and Engineering (only 9% of UK engineering professionals are women (IET 2010)). Figures from EngineeringUK (2010) show the UK lags behind the rest of Europe for the percentage of females students obtaining first degrees in Mathematics/Computer Science (UK [27%] compared with Europe [32%],and Engineering (UK[15%], compared with Europe [20%]). 

This presentation is a reflective account of the range of activities (including some which are award winning (see http://www.stemnet.org.uk/news/view/1232149)), which the School of Science and Technology  has put in places to raise the aspirations of potential future women engineers and computer scientists in  both primary and secondary education.  The work reported has been heavily supported by contributions from our own UK and overseas students.

References:

EngineeringUK (2010) Women in Engineering and Technology [online]. Available from: URL:http://www.engineeringuk.com/_db/_documents/Women_in_Engineering_and_Technology_FINAL.pdf [7/2/2011].

IET (2010) Mind the Gender Gap IET Member News 14^th June 2010.

Tillberg,HK, McGrath CJ (2005). Attaching Women to the CS Major Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies - Volume 26, Number 1, 2005, pp. 126-140

Wilson F (2003) New Technology, Work and Employment 18:2 ISSN 0268-107

Getting WISEr: The 'STEM' Factor

The School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton on the Wednesday 2nd February 2011  10.00 a.m.—4.00 p.m is running an event called The ‘S.T.E.M’ Factor.  A free event to GET THOSE GIRLS ENTHUSED

The aim of this event is to impart good practice, new ideas and address positive ways of getting the message to females everywhere that Engineering and Science “are” areas they can enter and succeed in. There is an untapped market out there with vital skills which our economy needs.

It will also provide opportunities to hear key speakers, network, discuss Women into STEM examples of good practice and opportunities to collaborate and make our campaign stronger. Talk with ex- perienced professional role models, people from Academia, Widening Participation and Careers Guidance Officers.

There will be approximately 7 breakout groups dealing with subjects e.g. Women in Industry

Equality and Diversity STEM Ambassadors—skilled women professionals at your finger 

Hosted by KATE BELLINGHAM,  National STEM Careers Co-ordinator

Profile: After studying Physics and gaining a BSc, Kate soon realised she was interested in Engineering and Computing Programming and joined the BBC when she was 24., presenting shows like Sound & Vision, Tomorrow’s World, The Big Bang and The Acid Test (Radio 5), gaining at the same time her BBC ETSI. Not satisfied with this Kate went on to obtain a Masters in Communication Systems & MSc in Electronic Communication Systems. She is a passionate believer in getting females into Science, Engineering and Technology and wants to share her experience and enthusiasm.

If you are interested in joining in to make cunning plans for the future generation of women to “go out there and take their place” or just for more details please contact Tricia Goodchild, Event Organiser:

By email: tricia.goodchild@northampton.ac.uk By phone: 01604 893005


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Brief Overview of Women in Engineering Event

The School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton, is hosting the Women in Engineering event on 14^th July 2010, at its impressive new facilities in the Newton Building at Avenue Campus.  The focus of the event is to promote, encourage and inspire young women, aged 13, to pursue careers in science, technology and engineering. Over 80 Year 8 girls and their teachers from local Northampton schools are invited to join female engineers from the University and local industry for a fun morning to explore the exciting world of engineering, computing and science.  The event will feature inspirational presentations from female engineers and scientists, providing a snapshot of their career highlights and successes, workshops to work alongside female role models on exciting hands-on activities, and opportunity to network with and be inspired by women working in the industry. 


A more detailed report of this event can be found at http://www.wisecampaign.org.uk/viewitem.cfm?cit_id=383525