“Negative perceptions of a girl’s abilities, whether at home or at school, can lead to her growing up believing that she cannot succeed in STEM,” explains Nevindaree Premarathne, 38, from Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Addressing the gaps in STEM education
Premarathne is the founder and CEO of Makers Global, an EdTech company that aims to inspire students to use STEM to solve problems. Recognizing the significant gap in STEM education in practical activities for girls in Sri Lanka, she started this project in January 2023, paving the way for the next generation of women in science and technology.
According to data available from the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka, in 2017, women made up nearly half of the students enrolled in STEM subjects at local universities. However, very few women work in these fields.
“In most schools, girls do not have the opportunity to learn practical subjects like science and technology. They may have theoretical knowledge related to STEM concepts but lack practical skills. That is why I am passionate about STEM education and want to explore innovative teaching methods and develop curriculum to address this gap,” she said.
In February 2024, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the European Union (EU) in Sri Lanka partnered with Makers Global to introduce the MakHer initiative to 10 schools across the island. MakHer is designed to empower women and girls to acquire the skills needed to excel in STEM fields.
The initiative includes hands-on workshops focusing on robotics, innovation, prototyping and integrating STEM concepts to solve social problems, thereby enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Driven by the belief that every girl has the potential to succeed in STEM, MakHer's workshops also connect students with industry experts.
“Exposure to female role models in STEM is crucial to inspiring students to have confidence and ambition, affirming that girls can thrive in STEM careers,” Premarathne said.
Empowering Girls in IT
Safa Rizan, 18, a biological sciences student interested in genetic engineering, attended the MakHer workshops in February 2024 along with 100 other students from her school. Rizan shared about the shortcomings in the education system.
There are many subjects that could be included in the curriculum, such as the application of medical science in applied science, she said. Teaching such subjects could help students better prepare for their future careers, Rizan said.
Rizan was inspired to put theory into practice at the MakHer workshop: “We students know about circuits… we draw them every day in school. But when it comes to building a circuit and putting it to use, no one can do it without guidance.
I learned that the knowledge we have is not enough to navigate this world if we do not know how to apply it. It was only after this workshop that I started to study more about genetic engineering and bioinformatics."
Rizan also spoke about the importance of giving women and girls equal opportunities and access to technology, asserting that it would lead to a better and more diverse world.
She argues that engaging all genders in technology will help to better understand and solve problems, ultimately leading to more effective development. Additionally, Rizan highlights the social bias that often hinders girls’ self-confidence. She gives the example of an extracurricular project where girls’ contributions were undervalued despite their ability to come up with solutions.
Rizan's message to young girls is not to let anyone take away their confidence. "We shouldn't limit ourselves or our opportunities based on what people around us say. At the same time, we shouldn't limit ourselves to the narrow range of career paths we're always told to choose," she says.
Embrace the new opportunities that come your way. Keep working hard and become irreplaceable, then no one can stop you from working in that field."
Source: UN Women
Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/cong-nghe-hoa-nhap-cho-tre-em-gai-o-sri-lanka-20240603141212141.htm
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