The Girls in STEM Toolkit (The GiST) launches this week. See its inspiring content and practical tools and information for students, teachers and families.
To close the gender gap in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths), we can’t have enough tools in our kit. That’s why we’re excited to see a brand-new resource available from Education Services Australia, funded by the Australian Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. It’s designed to inform and inspire the next generation of women in STEM.
We know that the demand for STEM skills is rising, yet the gender gap persists.
- STEM jobs are growing faster than other jobs, with 75% of the fastest growing occupations requiring STEM skills and knowledge. And 82% of employees say STEM skills are valuable in the workplace, even when they’re not a prerequisite.
- Girls are still under-represented in STEM education and careers.
- Stereotypes and bias rear their ugly heads when students are as young as nine.
Enter the Girls in STEM Toolkit (aka The GiST). This new online resource features pages of inspiring and informative content. For example, students can read about other young people doing cool things in STEM, how STEM can make the world a better place and all about imposter syndrome and how to combat it, plus much more.
Students can also take the STEM career quiz to help them discover the right STEM career pathway for them, or browse hundreds of potential STEM careers in a comprehensive A–Z directory.
Teachers and schools will be happy to know that the GiST:
- is relevant for the Australian Curriculum: Science as a Human Endeavour outcomes
- can be used to supplement learning in Digital Technologies, for literacy and general ICT
- contains a range of curated and annotated lesson plans for teachers, with clear curriculum links
- also has career advisor resources, along with tips and practical advice.
Research shows that parents are one of the biggest influencers on a student’s education and career trajectory. That’s why The GiST also features content for families – including articles explaining the value and benefits of STEM, plus fun and practical at-home activities.
There are also articles and resources for families, and lesson plans for teachers. Visit thegist.edu.au
Author: STEM Contributor
This article was written by a STEM Contributor for Careers with STEM. To learn more, please visit our contact page.