Team WA Homeward Bound 2018 members visit students in Warwick to promote women in science

FEMALE students were inspired to pursue careers in science after two presentations last month.

Kingsley MLA Jessica Stojkovski hosted members of Team WA Homeward Bound 2018 at Warwick Senior High School for the Women Working in Science presentations.

The team, which included six WA women, took part in a 12-month leadership program for women in science that aims to empower women to be leaders and shape policy and decision making in areas such as sustainability and climate change action.

With one presentation aimed at primary students and the other at secondary students, schools in the Kingsley electorate nominated female students with a keen interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Presenters spoke about their recent three-week expedition to Antarctica, how they became involved in science and in Homeward Bound, as well as gender equity and leadership.

They showed the students different career paths that exist in STEM as well as highlighting female leaders in science.

Presenter Veronique Florec said it was crucial to “create a more equitable world to give women the opportunity to reach their full potential”.

“This is all the more important in STEM, since science touches every part of our lives and will shape every part of our future,” she said.

“We need to change the gender disparity in leadership positions and have more female leaders in science and other fields that can encourage and inspire others to give the best of themselves.”

Mrs Stojkovski said the team members were positive role-models, “especially for young girls”.

“I hope these types of presentations become more common so we can educate and inspire the next generation of female leaders in science,” she said.

“It’s important for students who have a passion for science to see what working as a scientist is like and find out about the different opportunities a STEM career offers.”