Bioteka launches a special STEM program for girls! You can join too!
In a world where STEM careers are becoming increasingly important and are key to solving ecological, climate, technological, and other contemporary challenges, Bioteka continues to expand its services and develop new educational programs to make them more inclusive for an underrepresented group in STEM – girls, young women, and women. Read below to find out how to get involved!
As a strategic expansion of our existing Girls Own STEM program, which has been enhancing the education and strengthening the knowledge and skills of girls and young women aged 15 to 19 for future STEM careers since 2022, Bioteka will open its doors to younger girls aged 10 to 14 starting in October 2024.
Why are we working with girls?
There is still a prevalent societal belief that women are naturally more interested in social professions, while men are more inclined toward STEM fields such as engineering, mathematics, and robotics. A study showed that over 70% of respondents view STEM as a male-dominated area. These perceptions are stereotypical and reflect the world we live in. On the other hand, gender distribution in different STEM fields is not equal; women dominate in biology, veterinary science, and medical fields, while in classic STEM fields like engineering, physics, robotics, and computing, the proportion of women is around 20%, with mathematics slightly higher at around 30%.
Through our work on STEM projects and activities with children and youth, and by exploring the social situation, we have also noticed a significant imbalance in the number of girls involved in our STEM projects compared to boys. This imbalance is present even in primary education and continues into university studies and employment, as a result of negative societal messages, prejudices, lack of opportunities, and discouraging environments for equal development.
What is our response to the current situation?
Every other Friday, we will conduct a variety of STEM educational activities specifically targeting the development of socio-emotional, scientific, engineering, technical, digital, and other skills needed for holistic development in STEM education for young girls. The program will be conducted in groups of up to 12 participants in Bioteka’s classroom in Zagreb, as well as at various field locations (in nature, at universities and institutes…) and will be free for our participants.
The program starts on October 25, 2024, and will be led by Bioteka’s president, Jelena Likić. The program will also include regular guest lecturers and workshop leaders (educators, scientists, and experts in specific STEM topics). The program will run until June 2025.
Nominate a participant!
If you know a girl currently attending the 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade of primary school in Zagreb, who shows a strong motivation for STEM subjects (demonstrated through excellent grades in STEM subjects or previous achievements and awards at school or outside it), you can nominate her for participation in the project by sending an email to jelena.likic@bioteka.hr.
Priority in selection will be given to girls who, in addition to the above criteria, belong to at least one of the following groups:
- Come from socioeconomically disadvantaged families or communities
- Belong to vulnerable, minority, or marginalized social groups
- Are children of single parents/guardians with modest to average income
- Live in a children’s home or youth facility without appropriate parental care
When nominating a participant, please provide information about the girl’s name and grade, and briefly describe the reason for the nomination. After that, you will receive further details about the formal application process through an online form (which includes personal data, consent, and other information about participation).
I want to financially support the project! How can I get involved?
Since the girls come from socially disadvantaged environments and have far fewer educational opportunities than the average child in Croatia, you can support the participants with your financial donations. The program is entirely funded through donations from individuals and legal entities.
An amount of 400 EUR per participant per year covers the entire education: program materials and equipment, classroom and field education, space costs, utilities, salaries for Bioteka staff, and all other costs associated with running the program. There is no minimum or maximum donation amount; any help is welcome and will be used exclusively for the program’s needs. You can send all donation inquiries via email to jelena.likic@bioteka.hr.
You can make your donation to Bioteka’s IBAN: HR3024020061101169872, Erste&Steiermärkische Bank d.d.
In the purpose/description of the payment, please write “Donation – STEM for Girls.”
I want to volunteer for the project and help with education! How can I get involved?
Those interested in volunteering (students, teachers, scientists, employees of STEM companies, or public institutions) can apply for participation in the project by sending an email to jelena.likic@bioteka.hr, with personal information and reasons for wanting to get involved. Due to space limitations, Bioteka reserves the right not to select all applicants, and you will be notified accordingly.
Please share this news with your friends, family, and colleagues!
Thank you!
Your Bioteka
Interviews in which we further explore gender inequality in STEM fields can be read with the program leader, Jelena Likić, on the websites: www.netokracija.com and www.zeneimediji.hr.