Providing female role models in STEM higher education careers, a teaching experience

Abstract

Women are still underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, not only in Spain but also in many Western and European countries. Female role models are key to broadening participation in STEM fields, which is why our teaching innovation group has been involved in initiatives to promote female vocations in STEM aimed at non-university education. In this paper we present different initiatives to provide female references to the students of the bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, and master’s degree in computer vision. With these initiatives we aim to contribute to empowering female students of these degrees and to break with the sexist stereotypes that persist in our society. The activities have been well received by the students so we will continue with them in the next courses.