Nau mai, haere mai! Welcome to the Festival of Women and Girls in Science
In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we invite you to join us as we explore the incredible world of science through the lens of women's achievements and discoveries!
The aim of our festival is to inspire curiosity and passion for science in girls and young women through engaging hands-on activities, interactive demonstrations, and meaningful connections with women scientists. We want to showcase the diverse and exciting ways science shapes our understanding of the world, while highlighting the vital contributions women make across all scientific fields.
With a focus on tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau, our goal is to create an environment where girls can see themselves as future scientists, build confidence in STEM subjects, and experience the joy of scientific discovery. Through our interactive exhibits and demonstrations, visitors will have the opportunity to explore everything from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space, guided by women who are leading the way in their fields.
Our mission
Our mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of women scientists by creating accessible, engaging opportunities for girls to explore science alongside women role models. Through hands-on experiences and meaningful connections, we aim to build confidence, spark curiosity, and showcase the diverse pathways available in scientific fields.
Our vision
Our vision is a future where girls and women are equally represented, recognized, and celebrated in all fields of science. We envision a scientific community where young women feel empowered to pursue their curiosity, where diverse perspectives drive innovation, and where every girl can see herself as a scientist.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
A significant gender gap has persisted throughout the years at all levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines all over the world. Even though women have made tremendous progress towards increasing their participation in higher education, they are still under-represented in these fields.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an opportunity to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls.
Learning for Earth Ako Futures
The Festival of Women and Girls in Science is brought to you by the LEARNING FOR EARTH AKO FUTURES (Leaf) research cluster. LEAF represents a group of transdisciplinary researchers at the University of Canterbury and beyond, interested in creating opportunities for accessible, flexible, and future-focused education.
The future of education on planet Earth is changing and eventually will become increasingly dependent on research-driven innovation that prioritizes sustainable futures for our planet and engages with the inevitable convenience and broader impacts of digital and online learning. Keeping in mind, the changing need of education, The Leaf cluster emphasizes the evidence-based need for personally, culturally, and environmentally situated learning experiences. Using research and our community to solve this challenge has important academic, outreach, and societal benefits.
Learn more @ https://blogs.canterbury.ac.nz/leaf/
Our collaborators
The Festival of Women and Girls in Science is a collaborative event, lead by the University of Canterbury's Learning for Earth Ako Futures research cluster. Our collaborators include Tūranga Library, Canterbury Museum, Science Alive, The Seed Pod and Ara Institute.
If you would like to know more about these incredible organisations, please use the links below.
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