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Women are making waves in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and are being celebrated for their research and innovation. We asked Zainab Azim and Ann Makosinski about their experiences as women in STEM and their advice for young girls pursuing careers as future scientists, engineers, and innovators. Read their full Q&As at innovatingcanada.ca.
What would you say is the most important lesson you could offer to girls interested in pursuing a career in STEM? Don't be afraid to ask for help! It can be daunting and difficult to pursue STEM on your own, and none of us get to where we are all by ourselves, as much as some inspirational stories make it sound. Ask for support and guidance, especially from those in the field you're interested in. The majority of people would be happy to mentor you, but if you don’t ask, the answer will always be no. So make use of mentorship programs such as United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs Space4Women network! And a reminder: the sky is the limit. Although the path may seem difficult, as long as you know your why and your worth, the how will come and you’ll be able to overcome any challenges that arise. I always look back at this quote to keep me going: “The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. But more importantly, the meaning of life is to give it away.”
What advice would you give to young girls to inspire them to pursue STEM? Be yourself! Don't let anybody tell you that how you are as a lovely human being isn't good enough. Try not to care if there are less girls than boys around you in STEM related activities, just show up and do your best! Being in slightly uncomfortable situations is the way I've learned the most about myself and grown as a human being. It's not healthy to be comfortable all the time — there will be nothing to propel you forward! And always carry around a little notebook and pen, so you can write down your ideas at any time, any place — don't use your phone.
#GirlsNeedRoleModels: How Women in STEM Can Inspire the Next Generation Catherine McKenzie
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id you know that women make up only 23 percent of science and technology workers in Canada? The Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS) provides diverse role models to girls and gender nonconforming youth, which can increase their interest in pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
Meet Lexie Lexie knew she wanted to be a scientist from an early age, and by grade 11, she had her career path completely mapped out. A university degree and a post-graduate certificate later, Lexie was living her dream as a research and development chemist. She was proud of her achievements, but wondered about girls who hadn’t had the same opportunities and encouragement in STEM. “I wanted to help young girls
get into higher education,” she says. “I wanted to bridge that gap and be a role model.” Was there an organization where she could do that?
Making a difference Lexie did some research and discovered CAGIS, a national STEM club for girls. Now she helps members aged 7 to 16 get a glimpse of science in the lab and workplace. She works with other volunteers to organize monthly events, like taking a trip to a bird banding station, doing a coding workshop, or visiting a university genetics lab. She’s even led events in her field of expertise. At one, she took girls through the process of making their own bath bombs, teaching them about pH and chemical reactions along the way. They had a blast, and so did all the volunteers. “I saw I could make an impact,” says Lexie. “By showing the things I was interested in, I could inspire
someone else to be interested, too.”
Going virtual during COVID Throughout the pandemic, Lexie has continued to stay involved and come up with ways for kids to explore real science at home. She spoke to a national audience of participants at two recent virtual events. At one session focused on soaps and shampoos, girls performed three simple experiments using ordinary household materials, while Lexie modelled how to think like a chemist. During another event, she talked about the properties of fluids and showed how to stack liquids of different densities to make a colourful rainbow. She was struck by how absorbed the members were. “They were so hungry to learn more,” she says. Being part of CAGIS gives Lexie the chance to inspire and be a role model. Most importantly, it lets her spread the message she wants to share: “If there’s a career you can dream of, you can be it.”
Visit CAGIS to learn more about its programs and how to get involved.
Publisher: Sarah Ferreira Business Development Manager: Chelsea Siemon Strategic Account Manager: Anna Sibiga Strategic Account Director: Jessica Golyatov Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Content and Production Manager: Raymond Fan Designer: Lauren Livingston Web Editor: Karthik Talwar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve National Post or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.
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