As part of a three-year programme, Ørsted is funding support to 90 primary schools in low socioeconomic areas across the UK, with the aim of inspiring the next generation of girls, young women, and non-binary people to pursue careers in the green energy sector. In the first year of partnership we’ll concentrate on Barrow, Birkenhead and East Anglia as part of Ørsted’s outreach in communities close their projects.
Stemettes is an award-winning social enterprise working across the UK & Ireland and beyond to inspire and support girls, young women and non-binary young people into STEM and STEAM*. Stemettes has changed the lives of over 60,000 girls, women and non-binary people across the UK, Ireland, and parts of Europe over the past decade, and continues to provide free support to those who are curious in exploring and pursuing STEM pathways in sectors at the forefront of innovation.
Throughout 2023 to 2025, 90 primary schools will benefit from the programme - 30 schools each year. The first year will see primary schools in Barrow, Birkenhead and East Anglia included.
The STEMillions packs are designed to make STEM learning exciting and accessible. Using Stemettes x Ørsted STEMillions packs, the partnership will provide ten weeks’ worth (a whole term) of STEM content for primary school pupils and their teacher/supporting adult to run their own regular Stemettes experience across their schools.
Each box comprises of ten activity packs with teacher curriculum notes, presentation slides, posters of inspirational women in STEM, snacks for the term, equipment for each student for the activities, an online community for the teacher/supporting adult, club backpacks for each student, collectable reward badges for each student for their backpack once they have completed that week’s activity, helpline and Stemettes support throughout.
The packs also emphasise learning about role model women in STEM, addressing the need for representation in the field.
A recent Stemettes commissioned survey**, supported by the British Science Association, shows that 1 in 3 young people say they haven’t or don’t remember being taught about a woman scientist in the past 2 years.
70% of young people between the ages of 14-to-19 who were surveyed also said they thought it was important for schools to include information about women STEM role models in their lessons. Boys (71%) are just as likely to agree with this statement as girls (65%). By offering STEMillions packs for free and encouraging students and teachers to start up their own STEM clubs at primary school, more girls, young women and non-binary people will be encouraged to consider STEM careers across the UK.
