For the third year in a row, more than 500 children and teenagers took part in the initiative “Bring a Female Scientist to School” in celebration of February 11th, International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This initiative is part of the 11defebrero.org state action, promoted by the Equality Committee of the Campus Gandia of the Universitat Politècnica de València, with the support of the IVIO Chair and the Smart Tourism Chair.
Exposure to successful female role models in STEM fields that serve as an inspiration to girls and women is key in overcoming gender stereotypes that still persist in society and that continue to influence their STEM career aspirations.
With this objective, women in academic or professional STEM careers offer firsthand information to students through demonstrations, workshops and talks, both in person (respecting the safety and hygiene measures imposed by the pandemic) and online through videos, video conferences and educational material.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE
In the following video, Maite Sebastià, a researcher at Campus Gandia, and two other role models in Gandia, reflect on the lack of interest in society regarding scientific and technological issues and how Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of science and research.
PROGRAM
February 11th.Female Scientists and Covid-19 (video conference). Instituto Ramón Muntaner Xirivella (first year of ESO). With Pilar Sánchez and Teresa Rubio.
11 de febrero. Lucia Galeazzi Galvani and the Magic of Electricity (workshop). CRA Alfauir-Ròtova (primary school). With Isabel Pérez Arjona.
February 11th. Why do we need female scientists? Do you know how to listen to music? (video conference). CEIP Joan Martorell de Gandia (5th and 6th grade of primary schoo). With Josepa Costa and Romina del Rey.
February 12th. Lucia Galeazzi Galvani and the Magic of Electricity (workshop). CEIP Verge de la Font de Villalonga (4th grade). With Isabel Pérez Arjona.
February 12th. Why do we need a Girls in Science Day? Acoustic Experiments (workshop). CEIP Sant Pere Apòstol, Alquería de la Comtessa (primary school). With Pilar Sánchez and Romina del Rey.
February 16th. International Day for Girls in Science? Marine Research: how do they do it? (video conference). Colegio Gregori Mayans de Gandia (6th grade). With Pilar Sánchez and Blanca Feliu.
February 18th. Why do we need female scientists? Acoustic Experiments (workshop). CEIP Joan Martorell de Gandia (3rd and 4th grade of primary school). With Josepa Costa and Romina del Rey.
February 19th. What would you want to be if you were a boy? And a girl? And now… science books are fun (video conference). Xirivella Library, Owl Reading Club.. With Pilar Sánchez.
February 25th. International Day for Girls in Science? Marine Research: how do they do it? (video conference). Colegio María Inmaculada de Carcaixent (1st and 2nd year of ESO). With Pilar Sánchez and Blanca Feliu.
Resources on “DONES I CIÈNCIA” (Women and Science)
Biblioteca Campus Gandia dispone durante todo el mes de febrero de una selección bibliográfica y de recursos sobre “Dones i Ciència” (de lunes a viernes de 8h a 21h), en Polibuscador en http://ow.ly/q1lr50DvawU y online en Pinterest “Dones i ciencia” https://www.pinterest.es/bibliotequesupv/dones-i-ci%C3%A8ncia/.
Throughout the month of February the Campus Gandia Library offers a bibliographic selection and resources on Women and Science (“Dones i Ciència”) (Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 9.00 pm), on Polibuscador at http://ow.ly/q1lr50DvawU and on Pinterest at “Dones i ciencia” https://www.pinterest.es/bibliotequesupv/dones-i-ci%C3%A8ncia/.
THE FUTURE IS IN THEIR HANDS
Each campus of the Universitat Politècnica de València has given voice to 13 STEM students who share their scientific experience and vocation and talk about the researchers and professors who have been their role models. Àngels Gandia, student in the Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, represents the future scientists of the campus.
R&D&I Management and Promotion Officer at Campus Gandia