Case Study
Women into STEM
The Company
“Women Into STEM“ event hosted by Belfast Metropolitan College in partnership with Belfast Education and Library Board and supported by Connected Programme.
Assessment of Need
The event aimed to raise awareness about the exciting career opportunities available to women within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) sector.
Proposal
A wide range of interactive workshops such as ‘What’s in your lipstick?’, ‘Mobile App Creation’ and ‘Composites’ were provided, with the students selecting their favourites.
Female STEM champions were on hand to offer advice and answer queries.
Content
John McGowan – Belfast Met Connected Representative in Advanced Materials with 2 of the Stem students from Our Lady & St Patrick College Knock at the autoclave facility within e3 Springvale Campus.
The content of the Composite workshop delivered by Connected Representative, John McGowan included:-
• What is a Composite, how is it made and what is it used for?
• Practical demos were conducted with the students, highlighting important techniques such as, vacuum bagging.
Students also availed of a visit to e3’s autoclave and infrared curing facilities.
In the Science Laboratories, the girls experienced Physics, Biology and Chemistry in action with interactive practical sessions, such as:
• How big is the moon?
• What’s in our food?
• Drug testing techniques explored.
Evaluation and Impact
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry, who attended the event, said: “It is encouraging to see so many female pupils taking part here today. Encouraging young people, particularly females, to develop their skills and gain the qualifications required for STEM-related careers is key to future local economic growth and in attracting inward investors to Northern Ireland.”