The Department of Mathematics & Science Education within the Faculty of Education is currently participating in an EU-funded research project entitled ‘GEM - Empower Girls to Embrace their Digital and Entrepreneurial Potential’. The main objective of the project is to inspire and enable Europe’s girls to tap their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), digital and entrepreneurial potential.
In Malta, this research project involved a 3-day online GEM Summer Camp in September 2021 and a week of in-person activities entitled the 'Girls4STEM Week' held in September 2022. More than 100 seventh grade girls attended these events, during which students worked collaboratively in small groups and under the guidance of female mentors on a number of activities, related to Arts & Science, Entrepreneurship, Health and Wellbeing and Coding among others.
A number of female professionals, including scientists and academics, addressed the girls and showcased their day-to-day work in these exciting fields. The in-person event was held on campus at the University of Malta and included the design and carrying out of a number of investigations on various real-life themes; including themes related to the environment and sustainable lifestyles involving soil analysis, air pollution, noise and temperature measurements. Students also had the opportunity to visit the Esplora Interactive Science Centre, where they experienced and participated in a specially prepared programme dealing with a variety of topics, including gender stereotypes related to STEM and STEM careers. All activities gave students first-hand experiences of real-life problem-solving and inquiry-based learning in STEM as well as entrepreneurship. The GEM project aimed to help the participants become more aware of their own potential and increase their interest in studying, being involved and pursuing careers in STEM/digital disciplines, especially with regard to leadership positions. The organisers would like to thank the below for their support and contribution to the ‘Girls4STEM’ week.
- Dr Lourdes Farrugia from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science
- Ms Roslyn DeBattista and Heritage Malta
- Ms Davinia Shead and WasteServ
- Ms Tamsin Caruana and Nature Trust
- Dr Leonie Baldacchino, Director of the Edward de Bono Institute for Creative Thinking and Innovation
- Ms Maria Mangion from Mater Dei Hospital
- Dr Vanessa Camilleri from the Department of Artificial Intelligence of the Faculty of ICT
- Esplora Interactive Science Centre
- HSBC Malta Foundation