Chemistry As The Catalyst To Springboard Young Women Into STEM - with Fiona Evans
In this episode, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey and Fiona Evans have a conversation about women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers. Historically, gender stereotypes have led to women being under-represented in the sciences.
Fiona has an extensive background in the sciences including horticulture, land management and conservation, and working in an environmental laboratory as a chemist.
She is now the founder of a program that works to change inequity in STEM in Australia called Step into STEM Northern Territory. Step into STEM invites high school students to engage in science, and connect them with current university students who are studying in STEM.
Fiona was strongly encouraged by her dad to pursue learning in the sciences, and later had an excellent boss who was available to answer questions, value her contributions, and encouraged her to become a great chemist. She came to a point in her life and career where she began to deeply reflect on how to make the greatest impact, and on who exactly she wanted to be. This season led her to build the program, which quickly gained momentum and was featured on ABC Australia in November.
In this enlightening episode, Shonelle and Fiona talk about what it takes to work towards gender equality in STEM and discuss examples of Fiona’s impact as she provides students with increased familiarity, more role models, and exciting opportunities in design and innovation.
