Empowering Future Generations: Women in Science Engage with Local Schools
To celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, women scientists and engineers came together to share their inspiring work with local schoolchildren from February 1 to 5, 2021. This initiative saw approximately 40 volunteers from CERN, EPFL, and the University of Geneva reach out to over 1,350 students through both in-person talks and virtual presentations.
Innovative Outreach Amid Health Restrictions
The event included a total of 66 presentations, with 19 conducted in physical classrooms, adhering to stringent health protocols, and 47 held via videoconference due to heightened COVID-19 restrictions in Geneva. This creative approach demonstrated the adaptability of the volunteers as they engaged with students in a remote environment.
Engagement through Interactive Learning
To maintain students’ interest during virtual sessions, the presenters utilized a range of interactive methods:
- Live quizzes to test knowledge and understanding.
- Simple scientific experiments that students could replicate at school.
- Virtual tours showcasing the scientists’ workplaces, providing a realistic glimpse into their daily environments.
A Lasting Impact on Young Minds
This initiative represents the fifth consecutive year of effort aimed at raising awareness about career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Despite the challenges posed by the health crisis, the program successfully introduced numerous female role models to local students, encouraging them to consider futures in these dynamic fields. Since its inception in 2017, more than 11,000 pupils aged 7 to 15 have participated in these engaging sessions.
Get Involved
Teachers or volunteers interested in participating in the 2022 event are encouraged to reach out to the CERN events team for more information.
