According to the United Nations (2016), female students are significantly less likely to graduate with a degree in the sciences than their male counterparts; as of 2017, women represented only 22% of those working in science. The United Nations founded International Day of Women and Girls in Science on Feb. 11, 2016 to demonstrate its continuing resolve and commitment to eliminate gender inequality in science employment, opportunities and education.
In honour of International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11), the following resources will be helpful to girls and women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), career development professionals, students, parents, teachers, counsellors and others who encourage and support girls and women in STEM.
Why choose science?
Inspiring and exciting videos sharing the value of a science pathway.
#ChooseScience – Girls in motion stay in motion
#ChooseScience – International Day of Women and Girls in Science
#ChooseScience – Why I chose science
Students and youth
Resources for career exploration and hands-on opportunities to get involved in STEM.
Careergirls – careers in STEM
A visual career-exploration guide describing what you need to know about STEM careers.
Computing Careers & Disciplines: A Quick Guide for Prospective Students and Career Advisors (CERIC)
This guide, updated for 2020, explores different computing sub-specialties and the possible computing educational paths for prospective students.
Fem in STEM
Website for a movement that offers empowerment strategies to female high school students as they pursue pathways to careers in STEM.
STEM Camp Canada
Offers 48 summer camps nationwide with hands-on activities preparing girls for futures in STEM.
STEM for girls at the University of Waterloo
Events and programs for female high school students preparing to embark on a degree in STEM.
Competitions and science fairs
Skills and ideas competitions for meeting peers and developing connections on the STEM pathway of learning and development.
Canadian Mathematical Society competitions
Canada-Wide Science Fair
FIRST Robotics Canada
Little Inventors makers and challenges
Sanofi Biogenius science fair and mentorship
STEAM Horizon Awards
Career resources for women in STEM
Websites, mentorship and professional organizations are key to launching and navigating a career in STEM.
Canada Learning Code
Offers programs for skilled digital technology education for Canadian girls and women.
Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology
A non-profit that supports women in careers in STEM through activities, mentorship and leadership training.
STEM CareerPathways
A resource for women seeking careers and professional development in STEM professions.
Women in Resource Development Corporation
Support and mentorship for women in trades and technology in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Government resources
Government of Canada – STEM promotional campaign and news
Additional reading
- Girls in STEM (Huffington Post)
- How to get girls interested in STEM (STEM Fun for Girls)
- How we can revolutionize women’s education (Careers and Education)
- Let’s talk about women in STEM (IT World Canada)
- Recruiting Gen Z women into STEM careers (NCDA)
- Who is inspiring STEM in Canada? (What’s Your Tech)
- Why we need more female engineers (Careers and Education)
- Women and girls weigh in on gender diversity in STEM careers (Careering)
- “You can’t be who you can’t see” (The Globe and Mail)
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