Thank you to Soroptimist International of Europe and the Soroptimists of Volos Thetis, Greece for contributing this story. 

Empowering the Next Generation: Soroptimist Initiative Encourages Female Students to Pursue STEM Careers

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects offer a myriad of career opportunities. From health sciences and artificial intelligence to clean energy and sustainable development, the possibilities are endless. As technology continues to evolve, the need for skilled professionals in STEM fields has never been greater. While women’s participation in STEM education has been on the rise, achieving gender parity remains a challenge. More initiatives are needed to promote inclusivity and address the gender gap in these crucial fields.

In their fourth year of high school, students face the important decision of choosing their university studies. The Soroptimist members of Volos Thetis aimed to influence this decision towards STEM-related professions. To achieve this, they collaborated with the University of Thessaly and gathered a large number of students in the amphitheatre of the Electrical and Computer Science Department to organize a seminar. They also distributed pamphlets detailing the seminar’s topics and objectives.

To motivate and positively influence female students towards STEM domains, the Soroptimists selected six out of seven speakers who were women. A male speaker was also invited to provide a masculine perspective. The seminar focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to align with current and future trends in STEM fields.

Despite the small number of women in AI research and development, their contributions have been significant. Notable women have laid the groundwork for advancements in AI, a field that is rapidly evolving. Encouraging more women to engage in AI alongside men could lead to groundbreaking technological advancements. Their combined perspectives will help shape the future of this transformative technology.

The seminar featured four scientific talks, each highlighting the ambitions and expectations in the field of AI:
1. Describing AI from Chatbots to the Metaverse
2.Data and Data Science
3.Mathematics and AI
4. Innovation in the 21st Century

Additionally, three young female engineers shared their studies and professional experiences with the students. The project was highly successful, with the seminar attracting significant attention from the students. Local media extensively covered the event, interviewing students and speakers.

The Soroptimists members received positive feedback from the 230 students who attended the seminar. Initially, many students were concerned about the negative aspects of AI on social behaviour. However, after the seminar, they were convinced of AI’s powerful applications that will dramatically change the world. They were also hopeful that ethical rules and regulations from various governmental bodies would address the potential negative aspects.

The Soroptimist initiative is a positive step towards opening the debate on gender parity in STEM and encouraging young women to pursue careers in these fields. With continued efforts and support, the future of STEM will be shaped by diverse perspectives, driving innovation and progress.