Project aimed at increasing female representation in STEM areas has won an award
Planeta COPPE / Systems Engineering and Computer Science / News
Date: 25/07/2024
It is estimated that only one woman for every four men will secure a job in the STEM area – acronym formed by the initials of the words science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Despite the efforts to increase female representation, there are still gaps in almost every country in the world.
In all stages of girls’ and women’s lives, since elementary school, there is a discouragement towards the pursuit of science-based careers. For example, toy models, reading, movies and other cultural practices are related to gender roles that are socially established.
The “Heroine’s Learning Journey” project, developed by researchers from Coppe’s Systems Engineering and Computer Science Program (Pesc), brings an important contribution to the training of young women, between the ages of 15 and 21 years old, in order to enable them to improve their abilities and motivate them to act in the STEM areas.
With a model considered innovative to revolutionize learning, the Heroine’s Learning Journey project won third place in the “2024 SBC Innovation Seal” [Selo de Inovação SBC 2024] contest. Promoted by the Brazilian Computer Society (SBC), the contest had its final held this Monday, the 22nd, during the Society’s congress.Led by Pesc/Coppe researchers Luis Felipe Coimbra Costa and Yuri Lima, the project has as its goal to reduce gender inequality in the STEM areas, with a special focus on computer science. It was presented by master’s degree student Larissa Galeno. Learn more about the project.