The Cliff Fielding Research, Innovation, and Engineering building at Laurentian University will be hosting two events on Feb. 11 in honour of International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
The Women and Girls in Science Symposium will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will include presentations as well as demonstrations aimed at inspiring women and girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Topics include architecture, insects, game design and how to become a doctor, with a small number of presentations offered in French.
Then from 6:30-10 p.m., the space will host a panel of women who have built successful careers in the field of science, in an event called the Power of Women in Science. This interactive panel will include Nadia Mykytczuk, Ph.D., Theresa Nyabeze, Emily Jago and Julie Moskalyk, who will offer a moderated question and answer session following their presentations.
Despite efforts over the past 15 years to inspire and engage women and girls in science, girls continue to be excluded from participating fully in the industry, said information provided by the UN.
According to a study conducted in 14 countries, the probability of a female student to graduate with a bachelor's degree was 18 per cent, with a master's degree was eight per cent, and a doctorate was two per cent, said a press release. In comparison, the probability of a male student to achieve a bachelor's degree was 37 per cent, a master's degree was 18 per cent, and a doctorate was six per cent.
On Dec. 22, 2015, the United Nations General Assembly declared Feb. 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, in an effort to achieve "full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls," said a press release.
A full schedule of the day's activities can be found on the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health at Laurentian University's website.
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