Girls in STEM – UK
Yesterday Churchill Fellow, Elaine Manton, the STEM Coordinator at Loreto Grammar School in the UK, visited the ATSE office to meet with Maggie Evans-Galea and Pennie Stoyles.
Elaine received the Churchill Fellowship to travel to Australia and the USA to study programs relating to Engaging Girls in STEM Careers. Loreto Grammar is a select-entry girls’ school near Manchester. She and her students have won many awards for their innovative STEM projects.
Elaine discussed the Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS) program with its Executive Director, Dr Marguerite (Maggie) Evans-Galea. IMNIS is an initiative of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) which connects motivated PhD students with outstanding, high-level industry leaders.
With Pennie, she discussed the STELR education programs and STELR’s recent Women In STEM initiative. Elaine was particularly impressed with the Women in STEM videos and the fact the STELR provides professional learning support to schools. She said : “There is evidence in the UK of good CPD (continuous Professional Development) having a big impact on Teacher retention, which sadly seems to be becoming a issue in the UK”.
Pennie Stoyles also received a Churchill Fellowship back in 2000 to study Science Communication and teaching/leaning strategies in Science Museums and Science Centres.
STELR Manager Pennie Stoyles with Churchill Fellow Elaine Manton and IMNIS Executive Director Maggie Evans -Galea