Only 9% of the engineering workforce consists of females. Boys are the ones that do engineering and mechanics, girls do teaching and nursing - these gender stereotypes are instilled in children from an early age. 3 girls from Eltham Hill School strived to change this and destroy the stereotypes associated with women and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Maths).
“ We participated in a STEAM workshop and the quite shocking statistics on the inequality and discrimination women face in engineering made us consider how people come to the conclusion that engineering is a man’s job and when this mindset really starts to develop. Childhood - we concluded. ” Ursula Karki eagerly voices the concept of the idea and their motivation for it.
“ So we developed and created a book with a young female audience in mind that hopefully would reach them and implement the idea that STEAM is not just for boys. ” Riju Prasai, excitedly, depicts the idea.
“ It was quite a long but enjoyable process - we started with carrying out a survey to learn what entices people to read a book as well as children’s interests. Feedback helped to shape our book and the storyline. Ensuing this we ran an art competition to look for an illustrator that, as well as being committed and dedicated to the project, had an amazing style of art that connected with children and, with careful consideration, elected Poppy Phelps. She drew the pictures which were then scanned, edited and printed. ” Amelie Tu describes the process of manufacturing the book.
Riju Prasai
Eltham Hill School
