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Towards Women In Science and Technology

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Needed Now: Female Scientists

An EU project has closed the gender gap for women and girls in science, engineering and technology. For a robust, sustainable European economy which can compete with new emerging markets; female capacity must be developed and deployed effectively.

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In today’s world, women are significantly under-represented in science, engineering and technology. Creativity and innovation are at the core of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Encouraging women to enter these fields provides fresh perspective, valued insight and much needed expertise for problem-solving. The ''Towards women in science and technology' (TWIST) project has defined methods for creating genderless activities and programmes in science centres and museums. European partners worked together to impact professionals of science centres and museums (educators, concept developers, curators and managers). Together, the eleven strong consortium integrated a gender perspective in their agenda, exhibitions and programmes. Overall, highlights of the programme included: a ready-to-use 3-day 'Women in Science' modular event; ' Science Gender Day' events some in conjunction with International Women’s Day; dedicated computers and software for gender awareness in science centres. Another important result included a TWIST exhibition highlighting career opportunities in science and technology and a European multimedia database of female scientists. Teachers, students, parents and educators around the EU benefited from this exhibition. Other project outcomes include teacher training, training publications and guidelines targeted to professionals working in science centres, museums and other science outreach organisations interested in gender mainstreaming when developing exhibitions and other activities. The guidelines are available for download on the TWIST website. The TWIST project resulted in raised awareness at an institutional level and national level on the issues of equity and social justice, and fairness and freedom. It promises to continue to challenge attitudes towards women and girls in science and technology through the museum and science sector. This groundwork could prompt more institutions to implement gender equality projects based on the success of this work.

Keywords

Gender gap, women, science, science centre, exhibition

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