STEM Untapped
The GCSE Tipping Point
Through research from groups such as WISE and Microsoft we have discovered that one of the most critical points in a student’s STEM career is post GCSE, when a student transitions from studying many subjects, to a few subjects.*
This has been identified as a key attrition or ‘leak’ point for girls in STEM in particular. The data shows that we lose approximately 50% of girls at this time point as many chose non-STEM based subjects. And while many girls wish to continue, they lack the support in order to pursue their STEM dream more confidently. This is even more acutely observed in under-represented sociodemographic and ethnic groups.
Specifically, the STEM support that is lacking today is:
- Good access to a wide range of female role models in STEM,
- School and teacher support regarding STEM career options,
- Encouragement from family or close friends.
At Untapped we are extremely lucky to have access to a diverse range of amazing women in STEM.
* Sources: 1, 2
As a result, we have chartered a podcast series dedicated to matching under-represented girls with a STEM role model of their choice.
The podcasts will be shared throughout the UK in order to ensure that student interviewers and listeners can hear engaging and informative advice, from inspirational women with a variety of careers in STEM.
Guest Blogs from
Women in STEM
STEM Untapped Mentor, Katie Hillan: 5th Year Medical Chemistry Student
Katie shares her STEM story with Untapped Innovation as a 5th year MSci student, studying and managing a placement throughout COVID, Navigating a change in career mindset early on and moments of imposter syndrome, Katie looks back and offers her pieces of advice to...
STEM Mentor: Spurring on ways to find new and engaging ways to talk about science
Jo Coles is a a chartered scientist, working as a flood risk modelling and forecasting senior team leader at the Environment Agency. Connect with here on LinkedIn I feel really privileged to have been asked to take part in this campaign so thank you for reading and...
STEM Mentor: Pushing the boundaries of the next generation of science and technology
Elaine Baxter is a Chemist and Director of Boutique Innovation People often ask me why I took on a career as a scientist and the honest answer is that for as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by science. From an early age I was interested in...
STEM Mentor: The Futurist Connecting Science, Art And Play
Yesim Kunter is a Play Expert, Futurist. Here she explains how play connects with science and art, bringing left brain thinking and right-brain thinking beautifully together. I’m a Play Futurist…. I love what I do! It is a fascinating role that involves range of...
STEM Mentor: The amazing woman behind Coders of Colour
Tolúlọpẹ́ Ògúnrẹ̀mý is the Founder of the award-winning organisation Coders of Colour. It's an organisation with the aim of getting under-represented people of colour into the technology industry and providing an opportunity for them to experiment with coding in a...
Girls in STEM Mentor… You need to love STEM (and other secrets of presenting the weather)
By FRMetS Senior meteorologist, weather presenter, editor and columnist, Kirsty McCabe Did you know that weather presenters don’t “read” a forecast script on TV, but are actually masters of multitasking and improvisation? There’s a lot more to the job of broadcast...
Our Role Models
Amelia Gilio
Structural Biologist
Amy Cockram
Material Scientist
Charlie Semmens
Naval Engineer
Dr Ananthi Ramachandran
Biologist
Katie Hillan
MSci Chemistry Student
Dr Lauren Breese
Clinical Psychologist
Lyubomira Dimitrova
Technical Program Manager
Dr Marina Petri
Nuclear Physicist
Dr Megan Sumeracki
Professor of Cognitive Psychology
Dr Meghan Halse
Senior Lecturer in Chemistry
Amaeze Madukah
Director at The Diverse Nutrition Association
Sharon Strugnell (CEng MICE MIMMM PMP, MEng (Hons))
Civil Engineer
Dr Suzie Boulos
Dentist
Dr Megan Kenny
Lecturer in Psychology
Tolúlọpẹ́ Ògúnrẹ̀mý
Founder of Coders of Colour
Jan Choudhury
Horticulturalist
Iman Kassim
Computer Scientist
Testimonials
Untapped girls in STEM is the first bottom up approach I have seen in school. This wasn’t about telling the girls, this was about involving the girls, giving them that sense of ownership, importance and most of all trusting the girls and letting them get on. No hovering over them but giving them the self belief in their future in STEM. The portfolio they could choose from is inspirational not just due to the exceptional women involved but also the great range of careers covered, this wasn’t the usual compartmentalising of jobs we are usually given in school.
Highly recommend. It was an amazing experience and very insightful into the career that I would like to pursue. Very grateful to have the opportunity to take part
I really valued the opportunity to interview a woman in STEM. It was so insightful to understand more about what it will be like to enter a career in STEM and how the perception of women in science is evolving. It’s really inspiring to see brilliant women pioneering industries. The experience was really inspiring and I would really recommend it for those looking into STEM careers
What a fantastic way of connecting professionals with students to explore paths or their interests in a unique way, opening their eyes to the realities of STEM careers and those behind the scenes. This has not only inspired my students to seek more information on their chosen career but built their confidence and communication skills at the same time!
Listen to the Podcast
