FemSteam

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Femsteam Ptbo

if you can see me you can be me

ABOUT FEMSTEAM

PURPOSE

To improve the awareness and resources to young females in the Greater Peterborough region regarding education & career options in STEAM and Skill Trades by collaborating with all interested parties.

OUR MISSION

  • To capture an Inventory of the Ecosystem including Events, Education & other Activities that foster a culture of engaging Females into STEAM and Skill oriented careers & close gaps where resources are limited
  • To create a Roadmap to engage Business to Academia to Stakeholders to Parents to highlight opportunities and career options
  • Build Community Awareness of the movement to improve Female representation in STEAM and Skilled Trades
  • Enable actionable and experiential opportunities to consider these fields of education such as: Clubs, Co-Op, special projects with SMEs, affiliate associations like Girls that Code, etc.
  • To improve the future of females to achieve success in education and employment with meaningful, quality & skilled work.

BACKGROUND

In March 2019 an idea was sparked while attending a Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) Conference in Waterloo, that the Greater Peterborough Region (GPR) seemingly lack a cohesive and defined roadmap for young females to consider careers in STEAM and Skilled Trades (STEAM is defined at Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math).    As we discussed and pondered what was happening in our community, the Founders of the working group gathered together a group of Stakeholders for an initial meeting on May 3, 2019. Here we had school boards, community partners, entrepreneurs to name a few in the room to outline who they, what they offered and any gaps they saw.  The theme was; resources are available but possibly not enough, funding is a challenging; parent awareness is key; enthusiasm amongst the group was undeniable high and inspirational to want to move forward.

 

Another meeting was held in June and a third planning for Friday September 13th.  Additionally, as International Day of Girl approaches on Friday October 11, 2019, Peterborough will host an afternoon event on Thursday October 10th at Fleming College to build on these early steps.  The keynote speaker is Dr. Roberta Bondar who will enlightened and inspire the topic to Grade 7 & 8 girls from both School Boards within GPR.