Carol Andrews’ Post

Latest from FE News: More female STEM role models needed, as nearly 7 in 10 agree STEM jobs are the future : The government must do more to encourage women into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) careers, as recent 3M research reveals that over half (53%)… More female STEM role models needed, as nearly 7 in 10 agree STEM jobs are the future  was published on FE News by alice-holtonketchum-com #EducationNewsFENews Read more here:

Yesterday, I attended a transformative panel discussion with STEM professionals as part of Women in STEM RMIT Career Mentoring Program(arranged by Talia Sellars ⭐ Student Engagement & Team). Listening to Vaishali Haria, Shaz Sivanesan, and Dr Morley Muse. share their journeys was truly inspiring; they have excelled in their fields and left an indelible mark. Their stories were not just about overcoming challenges but about the ongoing quest for safety, diversity, and inclusivity in STEM. These narratives are not mere tales of happy endings but chronicles of continuous impact and transformation. As Dr Morley Muse. said, "We present them the problem and solution: not many women are exploring STEM." Among those who do, only 14-16% remain in these fields, as recorded by the Australian Government's Department of Industry, Science and Resources. To address this, initiatives like StemSisters and iSTEM Co. are crucial. They inspire young girls and university students, bringing like-minded individuals together to foster personal and professional growth. Together, these efforts contribute to a more inclusive and diverse STEM community. Together, we can make a difference. #WomenInSTEM #DiversityInSTEM #Inclusion #STEMsisters #iSTEMCo

Cracking the Gender Code in STEM: Is a 50-50 Split a Pipe Dream? Why aren't more young women pursuing STEM subjects? Despite decades of progress, female representation in fields like engineering and computer science remains surprisingly low. So, what's missing? Role models. But not just any — we need visible, relatable women owning their space in STEM to dispel persistent stereotypes and ignite ambition. Is aiming for a 50% enrolment split overly ambitious? Perhaps. After all, interests are diverse, and not every woman aspires to be a STEM superstar - just as not every man does. Yet striving toward balance shouldn't be about hitting an exact figure; it's about ensuring every young woman who dreams of science or tech sees it as a realm of limitless possibility, not gendered gatekeeping. We need to get to the root of the issue. Why are these courses not pulling in female students? It's high time to re-evaluate our approach. Let's start with early education, imbued with creativity and experimentation, to captivate girls' imaginations. Let's amplify stories of female innovators shaping our world, making STEM an adventure, not an anomaly. As the founder of Software Placements, I've been matching talent with opportunity for over 25 years, and one conclusion is clear: access to inspiring mentors can turn curiosity into career. With a personal passion for sport, history, and politics, I know the power of representation - seeing someone like you excel can turn the "impossible" into "I'm possible." So, let's provoke conversation, not confrontation. Could targeted outreach and revised curricula boost female STEM enrolment? Can we cultivate an educational culture where a girl's interest in science is nurtured as norm, not exception? Share your insights in the comments below — let's make STEM inclusive, one breakthrough at a time. #STEMDiversity #WomenInTech #EducationalInnovation

Reflecting on STEM Diversity in the Northern Territory: Key Insights After reading the "Pathway to Diversity in STEM" report released by the Australian Government in February 2024, here are our key reflections and takeaways: 1. Regional Challenges: The report underscores the unique challenges faced by regional areas like the Northern Territory in fostering diversity in STEM fields. Limited access to resources, educational opportunities, and networking platforms often hinder underrepresented groups from pursuing careers in STEM. 2. Indigenous Engagement: One crucial aspect highlighted is the imperative to enhance Indigenous engagement in STEM education and careers. 3. Gender Equity: While strides have been made in promoting gender diversity in STEM, the report emphasizes the ongoing need to address gender inequities. Initiatives such as mentorship programs, leadership development opportunities, and workplace policies that support work-life balance are essential for attracting and retaining women in STEM roles in the Northern Territory. 4. Cultural Diversity: Embracing cultural diversity is vital for driving innovation and creativity in STEM fields. Creating inclusive environments where individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds feel valued and respected is paramount. Encouraging collaborations and partnerships with multicultural communities can enrich the STEM landscape in the Northern Territory. 5. Community Engagement: Collaboration between industry, government, academia, and community stakeholders is instrumental in addressing systemic barriers to diversity in STEM. Our current focus this year on the engineering talent pipeline includes actions such as: - sending an engineer to any school that wants an engineer to come talk or present to their class on the real life of a working engineer (teachers take note! :)) - supporting engineering students and graduates coming out of Charles Darwin University with programs such as Elevate Your Career, mentoring and facilitating awareness with industry on work placements for students - setting up a working group with Charles Darwin University to drive more employment opportunities for their international cohort of students - celebrating excellence in engineers and engineering in projects through our Awards Program What can you do? https://lnkd.in/gmqMTisE

In the realm of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), the journey begins with education. 🚀 Today, let's shine a spotlight on "Women in STEM Education" and the pivotal role it plays in shaping a future where every girl sees herself as a force in the world of science and innovation. STEM education is more than just acquiring knowledge; it's a pathway to unlocking creativity, problem-solving skills, and a profound understanding of the world. By promoting STEM education for girls, we open doors to boundless opportunities, inspiring them to explore, question, and contribute to groundbreaking advancements. The challenges may be present, but so are the solutions. Let's celebrate educators, mentors, and organizations dedicated to bridging the gender gap in STEM fields. 💪🎓 Together, we can dismantle stereotypes, ignite curiosity, and create an environment where every girl feels empowered to pursue her passion in STEM. Join the conversation and share your insights on how we can collectively foster a culture of inclusivity and equality in STEM education. Together, we can cultivate a future where no dream is too big, and every girl has the tools to shape the world through STEM. 👩💻🌐 #WomenInSTEM #STEMEducation #GirlsInTech #InnovationInEducation https://lnkd.in/dufEsSrV

Cracking the Gender Code in STEM: Is a 50-50 Split a Pipe Dream? Why aren't more young women pursuing STEM subjects? Despite decades of progress, female representation in fields like engineering and computer science remains surprisingly low. So, what's missing? Role models. But not just any — we need visible, relatable women owning their space in STEM to dispel persistent stereotypes and ignite ambition. Is aiming for a 50% enrolment split overly ambitious? Perhaps. After all, interests are diverse, and not every woman aspires to be a STEM superstar - just as not every man does. Yet striving toward balance shouldn't be about hitting an exact figure; it's about ensuring every young woman who dreams of science or tech sees it as a realm of limitless possibility, not gendered gatekeeping. We need to get to the root of the issue. Why are these courses not pulling in female students? It's high time to re-evaluate our approach. Let's start with early education, imbued with creativity and experimentation, to captivate girls' imaginations. Let's amplify stories of female innovators shaping our world, making STEM an adventure, not an anomaly. As the founder of Software Placements, I've been matching talent with opportunity for over 25 years, and one conclusion is clear: access to inspiring mentors can turn curiosity into career. With a personal passion for sport, history, and politics, I know the power of representation - seeing someone like you excel can turn the "impossible" into "I'm possible." So, let's provoke conversation, not confrontation. Could targeted outreach and revised curricula boost female STEM enrolment? Can we cultivate an educational culture where a girl's interest in science is nurtured as norm, not exception? Share your insights in the comments below — let's make STEM inclusive, one breakthrough at a time. #STEMDiversity #WomenInTech #EducationalInnovation

Did you know that only 15% of STEM-qualified jobs are held by women? 👩🔬 While the number of women enrolling in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics courses is steadily growing, there’s still a long way to go to achieve gender equity. #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience aims to change this by promoting the full and equal access and participation of women in STEM fields. It’s also why we proudly support CMP Consulting Group Pty Ltd's Gems in STEM program, which sends industry professionals — including our own Rita Narangala, Manager of our Customer Metering Program — to visit secondary schools. Students get the chance to connect with industry professionals and gain insight into how a job in STEM can benefit communities and the environment — with a particular focus on the water industry. ‘The immediate feedback from students on the day has been great. We usually max out the question time, and we get students hanging back for a chat afterwards,’ Rita said. ‘I take that as an indication that the presentations made an impact!’ Learn more about the Gems in STEM program 👉 yvw.info/GemsInSTEM

I want to shout out the great work that is being done across the cellular agriculture sector in creating the inclusive spaces that lead to diverse teams, and to the incredible women inside and outside of CAA paving the way for the sector. I'd also like to shine the spotlight on The Good Food Institute APAC who is leading by example in the region. Check out their current diversity stats: 👉 14 people, 9 nationalities 👉 71% reside in Singapore, 29% work fully remote 🌏 👉 65% female, 35% male 👉 Average age around 32, with a 50/50 split of individuals younger/older than 30 👉 A whole scala of different diet habits ranging from vegan to flexitarian 🥟🥑🥢 👉 100% passionate and dedicated to creating a more secure and sustainable food system for all! I love the depth in the way they view and measure diversity, and the numbers simply speak for themselves. It is inspiring, but what I find more inspiring is thinking about the concerted and conscious effort that has gone into creating these results.

It's very hard to follow eloquent posts by Mikaela Jade and Dr Parwinder Kaur, MAICD on the importance of having a say in the draft recommendations on the Pathway to Diversity in STEM review, but I've promised myself, and these wonderful women that I would stand and serve them as best I can so here goes. As I said at the start of this review - If we are going to have a prosperous economy that is fuelled by technology and things that are founded in STEM, then we need to make sure that everyone in Australia is able to fully participate. To do so we must start by listening. Over the past 8 months we've heard from people from underrepresented communities and backgrounds. We've head their stories individually. And we've heard their stories collectively. We've spent time listening & learning. And we've received incredibly generous wisdom, advice and encouragement from hundreds of people and organisations. We've had round tables, 1:1's, public submissions, calls, videos and more. The one thing that has truly united every single voice is the excitement and hope in what we can achieve together through science and engineering to have a positive impact on people & planet. That same enthusiasm from people who have struggled to find a pathway in to the STEM ecosystem, and many who still don't feel a part of it. The draft recommendations are out for review. They aren't by any means complete. We've given space to continue to hear from you. We know there is more to include and we want you to tell us. As Mik says "if you have a burning comment to make about the interim report don’t be a blister and turn up after all the hard work is done. #SaveSocialMedia from your opinion. If it’s important to you - put it in the review. There’s a button you can click right here 👇🏽 " https://lnkd.in/gAUZ5kGh

In their opinion piece for Newsweek, Andrea Mohamed and John Skrentny highlight a critical issue in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields: despite significant investments from the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, many STEM employers still struggle to attract and retain women. While this law has funneled billions into U.S. infrastructure and innovation, and many major companies are expanding their facilities, women remain severely underrepresented in technical roles. Even though many women earn STEM degrees, they often leave these careers early due to workplace bias and unsupportive environments. Non-profit organizations like STEM NOLA and STEM Global Action aim to address these issues by preparing students from a young age for STEM careers and promoting inclusivity. These groups work to break down barriers and ensure that every student, regardless of background, has the chance to succeed in STEM fields. To fully leverage the potential of STEM education and the significant investments from the CHIPS Act, it's crucial for employers to create supportive and inclusive work environments that retain talented women. This approach will help build a more competitive and innovative workforce, ultimately benefiting the U.S. economy and maintaining its edge in the global technology race. #STEM #WorkforceDiversity #Innovation #EconomicDevelopment #Inclusion https://lnkd.in/guZWkkKz