FemSTEAM was originally founded nearly a decade ago by Sofie Andreou, Rhonda Barnet, and Dawn Hennessey who were driven by a shared vision to introduce more young girls to careers in STEAM and foster a culture of inclusion and encouragement in these fields.
In celebration of Earth Day, observed earlier this week on April 22nd, today’s FemSTEAM event offered students a glimpse into the daily operations of local STEAM businesses through workshops focused on sustainability and environmental awareness.
About the FemSTEAM workshops
To kick off the day, the students attended a panel discussion with local STEAM entrepreneurs at OfficeLinx in Port Hope. They were introduced to the business owners who would later lead hands-on workshops throughout the day, and they had the opportunity to learn what inspired each entrepreneur to pursue a career in STEAM. The session included time for students to ask questions and engage with the panelists. After the panel, students participated in workshops of their choosing.
Printmaking
Journey Through the Arts Owner Christine Benson delivered a printmaking workshop. During the workshop, students worked together to carve, ink and print an empowering botanical-themed poster to take home.
The Science of Flowers
During this workshop from Cold Springs Flower Farm, students learned how nature intuitively engineers survival strategies in species to support ecosystems and promote diversity. They also explored the biology of pollination, the chemistry of flower pigments, and the math behind petal symmetry. Each participant took home a potted seedling and a tulip as a keepsake from the event.
Beekeeping & the Alchemy of Beeswax
At Dancing Bee Equipment, students had the option to participate in one of two workshops.
The first option introduced students to the world of beekeeping, teaching them how bees create hives, the roles in bee colonies, the critical role of bees in our environment, and how nectar is harvested to make honey.
The second option offered a deep dive into beeswax alchemy, where students explored the many uses of beeswax, its natural properties, and its environmental benefits. Each participant handcrafted a beeswax candle to take home with them.
Other support for women entrepreneurs
This exciting day of learning, exploration and discovery was offered as part of the BECN’s She Owns It Women’s Entrepreneurship series. This annual series offers workshops, seminars and networking opportunities for women of all ages in Northumberland, to support them in achieving their business, entrepreneurship and leadership goals.
Each year, the series culminates with the annual She Owns It Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference – a professional development conference for women, focused on encouraging empowerment, motivation, and networking. More information about this year’s conference will be released in the coming months.
To learn more about the BECN, and the supports they offer for women and youth entrepreneurs, visit BECN.ca.
To learn more about JA Northern and Eastern Ontario, visit ja-neo.org.
Quotes
“JA-NEO is excited to partner with BECN to move the dial on girls entering post-secondary studies in science, technology, engineering, arts and math. By helping students understand and learn more about the wide range of careers in STEAM within Northumberland County, we are helping them to take a step forward to an exciting and inspiring career path later in life that will only benefit them and the community at large.”
- John McNutt, President & CEO, JA Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO)
“We were pleased to partner with JA-NEO to help coordinate Northumberland’s first FemSTEAM event. Educational experiences like these are vital for helping young women see themselves as future leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. By exposing young women to real-world experiences, future career opportunities and strong mentorship, we can help build a more inclusive and empowered community for the next generation of professional women.”
- Kailyn Coupland, Business Development Coordinator, Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland (BECN)
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