Teagasc has produced a new publication called Teagasc Women in STEM as part of its activities for Science Week 2017. This publication highlights women who are working in STEM and will provide female students with potential role models that they can relate to. It also shows everyone the diverse range of careers available in agri-food research arising from studying science-related courses at second and third level. The publication shows that Teagasc scientists work in a very wide variety of areas across its four research programmes.
Women continue to be underrepresented in science; only 25% of the people working in STEM-related jobs are women despite the fact that STEM-related sectors have been growing much faster than other sectors and have significantly higher wages. We need to encourage more young women to engage with STEM.
Jane Kavanagh, Head of Research Operations in Teagasc and editor of the publication said: “We often underestimate the importance of having role models to motivate, inspire us and help us make important decisions, particularly when making decisions about career choices. One of the recommendations in the iWish Survey is to expose young female students to female role models working in STEM and that is really what this publication is aiming to do.”
She added: “It is really interesting that each of the women featured has had a different journey, but they were all sparked by an interest in science”.
Launching Teagasc Women in STEM, Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle said: “STEM skills are crucial for providing solutions to the global problems we face in today’s world. People working in STEM are changing the face of the world we live in. Studying STEM subjects provides you with key skills including critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, innovation, design and communications, all of which are highly valued by employers for many different jobs.”
Dr. Emer Kennedy, one of the senior researchers profiled in the publication, is hosting a fun day for secondary school students at Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy today (14th Nov). Over 90 students will visit the dairy research farm and the labs in the food research centre, and find out what happens to milk when it’s processed.
Download a copy of Teagasc Women in STEM at https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2017/Teagasc-Women-In-STEM.pdf
Teagasc is committed to promoting careers in STEM and is actively engaged in many science outreach events, such as Science Week and the BT Young Scientist Exhibition. Teagasc also supports SFI’s Smart Futures initiative and you can book a school visit on www.smartfutures.ie.
For more information on the range of events at the Teagasc Research Centres during Science Week please see www/Teagasc/ie/events
