How can we fuel young girls’ interest in technology? By hands-on experiences and role models.
On International Women’s Day, I had the honor to speak at Girls in Tech Nordics event as a representative for Modda Sörmland. I shared the work Region Sörmland is doing to ger more kids and youth interested in tech through experience based learning and XR (extended reality).
Some of my key take-aways from the event, that included many inspiring and thought-provoking speakers coming together to explore how businesses can support young girls and schools in increasing girls’ interest in STEM, were:
- We need to make content in school more relevant for children – so they can better relate to what and why they are learning. Give more actual examples from everyday life.
- Parents buy their 13-year old sons computers as gifts, but not their girls. Why? What role can we play at home in breaking gender stereotypes?
- A lot of boys play video games and become interested in tech through it. Can more inclusive gaming also get more girls interested in tech as a whole?
- Female role models are important! But how do we get them out into every school, in front of every girl, all over the country? We can use technology to scale and make role models more accessible for everyone.
- Prao (internship) in 8th and 9th grade schould be an opportunity for young girls to come face to face with tech businesses and learn more about available opportunities.
- Can businesses provide real life challenges for children to work with the give them more insight into what happens in different industries? (In Sörmland there is a collaboration between Volvo Construction Equipment , Ung Företagsamhet Södermanland and Modda Sörmland called Teknikutmaningen open for everyone in grade 6).
- New technology like VR / XR can bring more experiences to life in school and let kids experience things hands-on.
Many more examples were shared and ideas fueled. Collaboration is key to fuel young girls’ interest in tech from many different perspectives and angles. Thank you to Ulrika Andersson, Vanessa Eriksson and Emily Eriksson for the important work your are doing with GiTN! And to everyone else that contributed last Friday. I look forward to continuing the conversation
