During my school days, I never had an opportunity to learn about Technology and Engineering. All the girls at my old school were made to learn home economics like sewing and cookery, whilst the boys were given the opportunity to build their own stuff. I recall a teacher told me that I should choose nursing rather than accounting as it is more suitable for a girl.
The truth is, I always scored the highest for my accounting and maths subjects in my class but I was never encouraged to pursue it. I was never encouraged to look outside the socially acceptable roles and I want to see that changed.
I want my daughter to be given an opportunity to question and know those important skills. As a parent, I want STEM to be made accessible to girls.
STEM should be gender neutral and everyone should have equal opportunities to be able to learn and develop their knowledge. This is why I was especially interested and excited when I first heard about EDF Energy Pretty Curious programme. It focuses on raising awareness of the under-representation of girls in STEM. The programme aims to inspire girls to pursue STEM-related subjects at school and in their future careers. Did you know just one in four people working in core STEM roles in the UK are women?
I think that EDF Energy has executed a brilliant idea for nurturing potential by driving this campaign in schools throughout the whole country, particularly for girls and young women into STEM and in their future careers.
Through the Pretty Curious programme, they enable parents and schools to support girls to give them a real sense of what it might be like to work in STEM careers by providing hands-on experiences and digital content, which you and your child can take part in on the website such as:
Future Me Avatar and Quiz
Create a shareable and personalised avatar in a STEM-related career to picture yourself in a potential future role ranging from a biologist to an electrical engineer. If you are not sure what the future could hold, take the easy personality quiz to see what career may be best suited to your interests.
Virtual Reality Film
Jump in and watch the Pretty Curious virtual reality 360º videos to experience a day in the life of the architect of the Shard, see what it is like to work on a wind farm and explore the offices of a software developer in their STEM jobs. This is a real eye opener for your child.
Thanks to the Pretty Curious Google cardboard headset, Ms C is able to watch the 360˚ virtual reality film and she loves it. These ladies are great inspirations!
Parents Quiz
Be the first to take the new parents quiz and see what STEM-related career would best suit your child. Identify their strengths, plus discover information and guidance on pursuing a career in that particular role once you receive your results. I find this is very useful for me because the more I know, the more I can support our children when they are making life-changing decisions.
This is a long-term commitment from EDF Energy to improve the ratio of women to men including a new generation of STEM advocates. Would you help to spread the word and inspire more girls to join the movement? It would be great if you do share the same thoughts with us to get the message across to the young girls!
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