As we celebrated another International Day of Women and Girls in Science, it’s important to take a look at exactly what women have achieved in the male-dominated world of science.
Beyoncé said it best: “Who run the world? Girls!” And when it comes to science, women are certainly making big waves.
Historically, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mechanics) roles have been heavily male dominated. In fact, only 15 per cent of engineering graduates are female. In fact, overall, only 13 per cent of the overall UK STEM workforce are women.
But for 100 years, you gals have been making a difference.
So #WomeninScience.. who's up for a thread of our Scottish foremothers who were STEM sheroes? 1st up let's have engineer Dorothee Pullinger who oversaw munitions factories during WWI & went on to design a car for women which she put into production in her own factory. Go Dot! /1 pic.twitter.com/PB3xmIVMYO
— Sara Sheridan (@sarasheridan) February 11, 2020
WW1
It was way back during World War I that women started to be recognised in manufacturing and engineering. As the men were all called off to war, daily live still had to continue.
During the war, women came together to found the Women’s Engineering Society, before several women including Amy Johnson and Dame Caroline Haslett made their mark in aviation and electrical engineering.
And we can’t forget Verena Holmes who started her own engineering firm, employing only women – the change in representation had begun.
Fun fact: Queen Elizabeth also served as a mechanic during World War II. You read that right, the actual Queen was a boss when it comes to STEM.
CHANGE
Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science! 👩🏾🔬👩🏼🔧🧑🏻🏫👩🏽🏫🧑🏾🔬👩🏿🚀🧕🏽🏳️🌈 #WomenInScienceDay
[gif: UN cartoon of different women in science] pic.twitter.com/P8ART7ImRT
— Pride In STEM (@PrideinSTEM) February 11, 2020
Even so, there are still currently more men involved with STEM than women. There’s literally nothing holding women back from getting involved in science, and you could be the change that the industry is looking for.
From coding the next big game, making waves in medical science or working behind the scenes in data to protect the security of a business: there is a lot of opportunities within STEM.
If you love nothing more than creating, building and innovation then a career in STEM could be for you. And you could be the change, just like Verena Holmes.
Fun Fact (Squared): Supermodel Karlie Kloss runs a free coding camp for girls aged 13 to 18, promoting confidence in working in technology.
Read more about women in STEM, and how you can make a difference and start a career in STEM, in the next issue of Source. Or head to STEM Graduates, Women in STEM, and Girls into STEM.
What will you discover?
