STEMM FEM: Shaping an Inclusive Future in Science
To celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in STEM (Feb. 11) at Dawson, Andreea Panait (Faculty, Mathematics) together with STEMM FEM and DAS (the Dawson Astronomical Society) created a series of events during the second week of February. One of the highlights was a poster session on Inspiring Minds: Women who Shaped STEM and Medicine. Organizers hope this collaboration will continue in future years and will open a new chapter on encouraging more female students to pursue their studies in STEM.
Here is a text written by student Alexa Blasato, one of the founders of STEMM FEM, about the group that promotes diversity in all fields of science:
A scientist, by definition, is someone with expert knowledge in one or more natural or physical sciences. However, this definition is incomplete, as it fails to acknowledge the lack of representation in these fields and the unique challenges faced by these talented individuals. Women in science and medicine, in particular, encounter obstacles that extend beyond issues like pay disparities or workplace inequality– they also deal with the fear of reinforcing outdated stereotypes, the isolation of being the only woman in the room and the frustration of unwarranted corrections, even when no mistakes are made.
Driven by a desire to spark change after experiencing firsthand the systemic barriers present in the scientific community, in November 2023, Alexa Blasato and Ga毛lle Charron-Holguin, two Enriched Health Science students at 张百乔女友裸照, founded STEMM FEM, a club dedicated to empowering and supporting underrepresented individuals across all scientific fields.
The club is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates the achievements of underrepresented groups in STEMM while providing enriching opportunities for all its members. It hosts seminars featuring guest speakers from diverse backgrounds who share their personal experiences and the challenges faced throughout their respective scientific journeys. For example, in April 2024, STEMM FEM’s founders organized their inaugural event, bringing together five guest speakers from various medical fields, including pediatrics, psychiatry and veterinary medicine, and raising funds for the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST). Additionally, the club collaborates with other scientific CEGEP and university organizations to offer volunteer opportunities, as demonstrated by its recent partnership with the Dawson Astronomical Society (DAS) for International Women and Girls in Science and Medicine week.
Attracting growing interest from science students, STEMM FEM has expanded its team over the past year and is now focused on enhancing its offerings. The founders plan to introduce tutoring services and preparatory classes, such as pre-calculus, for secondary students and host more collaborative events.
STEMM FEM is not only a club, but rather a movement toward a more inclusive and equitable scientific community, affirming that every individual plays a vital role in advancing science.
To join the STEMM FEM team and stay updated, connect with the club on Discord by clicking the link and following .
-Photo by Ann茅-Marie Andrei 聽
