Working with the WISE Campaign's People Like Me initiative, the
Agency has helped produce a resource pack for schools to boost
the recruitment of girls into STEM subjects post-16, particularly
those that girls typically do not choose, such as physics and
engineering.
The initiative aims to help girls understand the breadth of
careers open to them in the space sector by introducing them to
role models who are working in the field. The women featured in
the campaign come from different backgrounds and work in
different areas across the space sector.
Alice Bunn, International Director at the UK Space Agency, said:
Like every other high-tech sector, space needs talented
scientists and engineers, but with fewer women in science, we are
missing out on half of the talented people on the planet.
The UK Space Agency is delighted to support the WISE Campaign's
People Like Me Careers in the Space Sector, and to highlight the
range of great opportunities there are for girls and young women
to use and develop their skills in creative and innovative ways
within the space sector.
We want to spread the word that the space sector is a brilliant
place for your students to apply the subjects they enjoy and
develop skills that will enable them to follow their dreams.
Girls remain under-represented across core science, technology,
engineering and maths subjects. Recent research by the University
of Roehampton has revealed that 30,000 fewer girls are studying
key stage four level computing subjects compared to when the
computing curriculum was introduced in the UK in 2014.
People Like Me is unique in its twin aspirations as a strategy
for both schools and industry engagement. It encourages employers
to raise aspiration by delivering careers advice to girls, in
schools or on their premises, by professionals in STEM
occupations who can challenge gendered stereotypes about these
careers.
Since its launch in 2015, People Like Me's resource has been
delivered to over 6,500 girls around the UK by a range of
partners. The new training platform, launched in July, will make
it easier for businesses to subscribe to the programme and start
delivering sessions to girls and helping to inspire them.
People Like
Me has since been updated to My Skills My Life, find out more
about the campaign here.
