At Woodford County High School, “The Innovation Lab”, a new technology suite equipped with some of the latest technology has helped many young girls to consider studying STEM subjects at a higher level. 

 

The Innovation Lab was opened for the first time in 2018, with the intention to inspire young girls to work in STEM fields, and it has stayed true to its purpose throughout the years. It is equipped with an abundance of technology, from NAO robots to a 3D Printer to VR headsets and gaming consoles. Despite being closed for the last two years because of COVID and social distancing rules, the Lab is now fully open and at full capacity. The long queues at lunchtime for Mario Kart competitions, and a general flurry of excitement amongst pupils when entering the Lab are unsurprising. By having access and being able to interact with the latest technology, more and more girls are beginning to consider taking STEM subjects for higher studies.


“It’s really cool. The NAO robots definitely excite me the most, especially programming the robots to perform different functions,” a Year 7 student said. “Computer science is one of my favourite subjects now, because I can connect my school lessons, for example algorithms, with real hardware like the drone or the 3D Printer. I definitely want to learn more about technology, and I’m considering taking it for GCSE.” 


However, when looking at the bigger picture, the Lab supports a bigger cause – the gender gap within STEM fields. Whilst STEM sectors are undoubtedly some of the fastest-growing fields today, with society becoming more and more dependent on technology for everyday activities, the gender gap within STEM fields is still substantial, with fields such as computer science and engineering having the lowest percentages of women workers.


It is even more astounding to see that some of the highest-earning occupations in STEM, namely within computer science and engineering, have the lowest percentages of women workers. UCAS data suggests that in 2018, only 19% of students studying computer science related degrees are female and that women compose only 10% of the UK’s engineering professionals. In medical fields, women are more highly-represented in lower-paying occupations, such as nurses and care home workers. (https://www.stemwomen.co.uk/blog/2021/01/women-in-stem-percentages-of-women-in-stem-statistics). The gender gap within STEM careers is clearly massive, with men driving the STEM workforce.


When asked for their views on the STEM gap, two Year 7 students said that “It’s annoying because you barely see any female engineers, and most nurses are female. I don’t think I’ve seen a male nurse before, but I’ve definitely seen more male doctors than female doctors. And, most CEOs of top companies are all men. I think there should be an equal number of men and women in STEM occupations.” 


Without a doubt, the Innovation Lab is a facility that will continue to encourage young girls at Woodford County High School into working in STEM sectors. The impact that the Lab has had on young girls, inspiring creativity and instilling confidence within has been truly amazing, and the long-term effect on the increase of girls studying STEM subjects at a higher level is promising.