Outbox Incubator

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Women make up nearly half of the UK’s workforce, yet in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths), only 13% are female.

The Stemettes is an award-winning social enterprise that is trying to close this gap. Founded by Ann-Marie Imafidon FRSA, they’ve had widespread press coverage and recently launched an exciting new six week programme – Outbox Incubator.

The programme is fun, free, and will involve a series of interactive events, workshops, inspirational talks, and fun activities all aimed at helping girls aged 11-22 grow their STEM ideas. It's an incredible opportunity to explore STEM subjects outside of the classroom, and to understand how to practically apply skills in a entrepreneurial setting. They’ll  work with mentors who will provide advice and expertise on everything from digital marketing to product development and pitching techniques.      

Outbox will run from 27 July until 5 September 2015. 

There are two ways you can get involved:

Stemmettes are looking for STEM-experienced programme and post-programme mentors, as well as people to run sessions, share their experiences with the girls, and supervise their ‘downtime’ periods.  

Or, if you know a girl who’d really benefit from taking part, you can nominate one, but the deadline is 28 May so you’ll need to be quick.

Visit the Stemettes website to find out more about both opportunities. 

Join the discussion

6 Comments

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  • Picture of Eileen Clegg

    Greetings Ann-Marie:  I wanted to share our new Women inventors and Innovators mural with you and hope we can help your good work with this. 

    http://www.visualinsight.net/inside/revisioning-the-history-and-future-of-women-inventors-and-innovators/

    This is currently a US-centric version and we are planning to create different contextual landscapes for different regions. Let me know what you think about this arts-based approach.

  • Picture of Alex Taylor

    The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has also recently launched a campaign to inspire the next generation of engineers - www.engineer-a-better-world.org. The research they have done was aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the perceptions of parents and young people, particularly girls, towards engineering today and find out how these can be improved in the future. Fewer than half of parents of girls would encourage their children to consider a career in engineering. There is an on-going programme of activity planned by the IET to try and change the perceptions of parents and children, particularly seeking to prevent girls becoming disengaged with STEM subjects. There are some obvious synergies here with the work that the Stemmettes are doing. Might be worth contacting the IET.

    • Picture of Anne-Marie Imafidon

      Thanks for your comments Alex. We've been a part of their campaign and have been joining in via Twitter. We're also very appreciative of the support we get from the IET's Women's Network.

      • Picture of Alex Taylor

        I'm so pleased - I work at the IET as the Head of Communities, so please let me know if there's any way I can help too. I'm not sure if you've seen but there's a great blog on the IET's MyCommunity platform from a group called Positively Pink Engineering started by two sisters in year 6, aspiring to be engineers. They could be really good ambassadors for the Stemettes. Great initiative...!

  • Picture of Jaquelyn Patricia Longworth

    I applaud the Stemmettes initiative. However, we should not see this as a new thing. In 1919 the Women's Engineering Society (www.wes.org.uk) was established and is still going strong, with the aim of promoting engineering as a career amongst girls and women. 23rd June 2015 sees the second year of National Women in Engineering Day (www.NWED.org.uk) during which very many companies and organisations will be running events to celebrate those women who have made it. Please join in! 

    • Picture of Anne-Marie Imafidon

      Hi Jaquelyn, Thanks for your comment. We were a part of the inaugural NWED events last year and WES is a partner of ours - we love Dawn!

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