The STEM is FEM education project has made a significant contribution to involving female youth to learn STEM disciplines and build a career in IT. The initiative focused on another project to reconstruct devastated Ukrainian cities by engaging professionals and thousands of applicants. Serhiy Tokarev, IT entrepreneur and the initiator of STEM is FEM, commented on the main project’s achievements and outcomes.
What is STEM is FEM?
STEM IS FEM is an educational project aimed at popularizing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) specialties among girls and young women. STEM is FEM works with schoolgirls aged 12-23 who are interested in tech. Serhiy Tokarev underlined that last year, the project received 4,000 applications to participate in its activities. The most significant ones are mentioned below.
The course “Urbanism”
The initiative team implemented an educational project called “Urbanism” with the purpose of involving Ukrainian youth in urban planning and post-war reconstruction. The project team believes that engaging citizens of diverse genders, ages, and experiences can help restore the devastated Ukrainian cities.
Over four months, 50 girls delved into the fundamentals of urban planning and architecture. They developed projects to reconstruct public spaces in three war-torn Ukrainian cities: Ichnia, Trostyanets, and Okhtyrka. Later, the participants presented their works and only the top ten projects were polished up by a team of experts and offered to further implementation. According to Serhiy Tokarev, three graduates were lucky to undergo an internship at Urban Reform NGO. They could engage with the local community, study the history of Okhtyrka, and contribute to research for the city’s master plan development.
After completing the educational course, STEM is FEM has crafted an educational series “Urbanism”, initiated by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. The series is available on Diia.Education. It includes 17 episodes reflecting different topics, such as the study of cities and responsible citizenship, post-war reconstruction, the shaping of public spaces, inclusivity, and innovative construction projects.
The module “Light Industry”
In 2023, the project also dived into another theme. In collaboration with the women’s lingerie brand brabrabra, STEM and FEM conducted a two-day educational module “Light Industry”. This module became the first one since the full-scale invasion started. 30 participants listened to motivational speeches and insights from industry experts, studied the design and clothing production, and even created their lingerie collections.
The podcast “Science: Women’s Voices”
Serhiy Tokarev adds that a newly launched podcast “Science: Women’s Voices” by STEM and FEM can help to highlight the contribution of women in science. The postcard’s episodes are about female researchers. The hosts and invited expert guests discuss notable female scientists and delve into their professional and personal journeys.
The IT entrepreneur believes that technological progress within the country is only possible through a synergy of diverse perspectives and experiences.
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