Apr
25
2023
0
Taskforce meeting Norway March 2023
By secretariat
Norway
Jan
17
2023
0
Sep
12
2022
Girl Tech Fest
By admin
Short summary:
Girl Tech Fest is an initiative which aims to increase girls’ interest in science and technology. During Girl Tech Fest girls aged 10-12 are invited to a local library where the girls get to try programming and different technologies themselves. The programme is co-organised by four organisations and coordinated by the Norwegian national STEM platform (NCSR). The event is organised yearly in libraries throughout the country, involving around 1300 girls each time.
Description and objectives:
Girl Tech Fest is an initiative which aims to increase girls’ interest in science and technology. During Girl Tech Fest girls aged 10-12 are invited to a local library where the girls get to try programming and different technologies themselves. The programme is organised by NCSR in cooperation with IKT-Norway, Oda-network (organization for women working in ICT), TENK - Tech network for women (organization for women to inspire an encourage more girls to choose an education within technology)
While girls’ interest in science and technology decreases from around age 10-12 the boys’ interest does not decrease the same way (see: Corneliussen, H. G., et.al. (2021) Evaluering av Jenter og teknologi). That is why NCSR in cooperation with the partners listed above want to give the girls a day with only girls, where they can play and learn with technology on their own terms. As part of the programme, the girls meet female role models who work or study within technology, which may help them see themselves in such academical fields.
Currently, the NCSR is the national coordinator or project leader of Girl Tech Fest. This includes responsibility for the main event in Oslo and contact with, and support of, local libraries all around the country. Even though the coordination is done by NCSR, the project group is a collaboration between people from all four organizations involved.
The main objective of the program is to increase girls’ interest in technology, and in a longer term: increase the number of girls that choose to study and work within technology and programming. On process-level, the programme aims to spread Girl Tech Fest all around the country and increase the number of locations and girls who participate.
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Education level:
Link to programme website:
Logo or photo:
Impact:
It is difficult to pinpoint the impact of Girl Tech Fest as a single day of tech encouragement. However, the enthusiasm of the participating girls for technology and programming is visible throughout the day. We believe that the fact that these girls are allowed to play with technology and experience these fields, supervised by female role models, in a different setting than they are used to may impact their attitude towards technology and programming.
“When I come home, I am going to find out more about how I can control robots with programming!”, “I never thought I could do programming, but I am actually quite good”, “This is the most fun day at school ever, I wish we could be her every day!” and “I thought technology was boring, but I loooove it and want work with it when I grow up!”.
These are quotes exclaimed by girls at GTF with stars in their eyes. When we experience reactions like these, we do believe that at least we have managed to inspire them a little bit that day. How the girls are prepared for the day, and how it is followed up comes down to the teachers. Some teachers continue to take programming into their classes while others don’t.
Evaluations are sent to the teachers after Girl Tech Fest to get their opinion of the day, and the overall conclusion is that the day is highly motivational for the girls and that they do benefit from participating. The teachers also point out that the day is motivational for them as well, as they can see and be inspired on how to take programming and technology into the classroom.
Reach:
When Girl Tech Fest first started in 2015 it was held at one location in Oslo as a part of Oslo Innovation Week. 170 girls participated. As the years went by the project grew and saw a desire to expand and offer the same tech day for girls around the country. Since the group who started Girl Tech Fest did this voluntarily on their spear time, they were not able to arrange Girl Tech Fest at more locations. Libraries around the country were contacted and supported to arrange GTF from 2016, and new libraries join the Girl Tech Fest each year. In 2016 Girl Tech Fest were arranged in six different cities with a total of approximately 700 girls. Eight locations arranged Girl Tech Fest in 2017 with a total of 1300 girls, seven locations and 1200 girls in 2018 and in 2019 12 locations created Girl Tech Fest for 1300 girls.
In 2020 almost everything got cancelled due to Covid-19. Three locations did however manage to create alternate versions of the technology day. About 200 girls were lucky to attend GTF in 2020.
In 2021 1600 girls participated at Girl Tech Fest spread at 15 different locations around Norway. The largest location hosted Girl Tech Fest for 225 girls, while the smallest invited 20 girls. The number of girls invited to each location is decided by the local library that is responsible for the day. At each location the girls are invited to try different technological activities and workshops. Almost all girls get to try programming during the day, but we also want to highlight the broad spectrum of what technology can be.
No goals are set when it comes to reach, but we aim to increase the number of girls and locations each year. Especially is geographical spread of Girl Tech Fest is something that requires continues efforts. Both small and larger communities and cities are encouraged to host Girl Tech Fest.
Budget and funding model:
All libraries that host and arrange Girl Tech Fest have the option of applying for support of up 10 000 NOK (equal to approx. 1000 Euro) from the National Center for STEM recruitment (NCSR). NCSR are governmentally funded. Outside this, the libraries use their own funding, and many do also get support from local tech companies. The largest event has traditionally been held in Oslo with 300-400 girls. The funding for this event is based on sponsorship from tech companies. They contribute with financial support and/or manpower on the day. The workshops are mainly held by female workers from these companies. In 2021 this included Microsoft, Cisco, Data Respons, Sopra Steria, Telia, Bouvet, Facebook(Meta), Bekk and Sparabank1.
Currently, the income is used for t-shirts to both the girls who attend Girl Tech Fest and the tech women who attend the day as supervisors, workshop holders and role models for the girls. Lunch for the supervisors is also provided at most of the locations. For the girls, fruit/juice/lunch is provided based on the financial situation on each location. Decorations such as balloons and pennants are also bought in by each location.
How the distribution of the funding will be in the future is currently being evaluated. We see that it is easier to get sponsors in big cities, and we do not want the different Girl Tech Fest arrangement to be too different from each other. How far the libraries or organizers get with the 10 000 NOK is also very different as the locations welcome from 15 to 225 girls. Differentiation of the support is therefore under consideration.
Year start:
2015
Status:
data_page_icon_programme:
Jun
15
2022
0
Mar
01
2022
Update: First meeting taskforce meeting 'Towards a New Norwegian STEM Strategy' to focus on multi-stakeholder STEM strategies and diversity in STEM recruitment
By admin
Country:
Norway
Abstract:
On March 3-4, 2022 the first meeting in the Taskforce 'Towards a New Norwegian STEM Strategy" will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark. The first half of the two-day programme will focus on various existing case-studies of multi-stakeholder national STEM strategies, including the Danish Technology Pact and the national approaches of LUMA (Finland) and Astra (Denmark).
The second day of the programme will then focus on the topic of diversity in STEM recruitment. Several EU STEM Coalition members and external partners will highlight their approach including ZDI (Germany), the Western Norway Research Institute and the Estonian Research Council (currently involved in another taskforce with similar objectives).
More information about the meeting outcomes, documents and next steps will be published after the meeting.
Nov
16
2021
Input Labour Unions National STEM Strategy submitted
By admin
Country:
Norway
Abstract:
In the context of the Taskforce 'Towards a New Norwegian STEM Strategy' the Norwegian STEM platform (NCR), in cooperation with the Norwegian Labour Unions, submitted an input paper to government titled 'STEM for the Future'. The paper was submitted on September 23, 2021 via the new govenrmental platform.
Nov
16
2021
Update: First taskforce meetings planned
By admin
Country:
Norway
Abstract:
Two new Taskforce Meetings (TM) were scheduled in the context of the Taskforce 'Towards a New Norwegian STEM Strategy'. These follow preparatory steps, including the submission of a collective input paper ('STEM for the Future') with the Norwegian Labour Unions.
The first Taskforce Meeting is scheduled on November 10 (postponed due to Covid restrictions). Due to the overlap in objectives, this taskforce meeting will be co-organised by the Estonian Research Council. The focus of this meeting will be on re-establishing the stakeholder network and evaluation of the Technology Pact and other STEM strategy models (with specific input from Estonia, Denmark and Sweden) with the objective of developing a concept for the organisation, partners and priorities of a multi-stakeholder Norwegian STEM strategy.
The second Taskforce Meeting has been scheduled on January 27-28, 2022, in Copenhagen, Denmark. The focus of this meeting will be on establishing common goals and responsibilities of the partners involved and developing a detailed meeting agenda and launch of the digital cooperation platform.
More updates will follow soon.
Aug
19
2021
The Education Test
By admin
Short summary:
“The Education test” is a research-based test that aims to inform young people or pupils about educations and professions within STEM. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. The test result provides the pupil with information about his or her personality traits, how he or she learns best, and suggest some STEM occupations that fits their personality.
Description and objectives:
“The Education test” is a research-based test that aims to inform young people or pupils about educations and professions within STEM. The test was created by psychologist Helge Brovold (NTNU) and takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Based on four different factors – personality, preferred learning method, personal and professional interests, the test presents occupations within STEM that might be suitable. The test result provides the pupil with information about his or her personality traits, how he or she learns best, and suggest some STEM occupations that fits their personality. After taking the test, the pupils may discuss the result with their parents or friends, and further evaluate different studies, careers and job opportunities. The main target group are pupils in junior high school and students in high school, but the test is also used in some universities to examine the students preferred learning methods and further to adjust the teaching methods.
NCSR (the Norwegian national STEM platform) has done focus groups to learn more about how young people make their choice of education. Its findings show that most youths have little knowledge about careers within STEM and what kind of occupations are eligible after studying STEM.
The education test aims to address this by providing the pupils with new ideas about what one can study and work with within STEM. In tandem to the test, the NCSR runs campaigns in social media throughout the year to inform the target audience about the test and the importance of educational choices.
The main goal of the programme is to make the pupils reflect on their interest, personality and their learning preferences in relation to STEM. Furthermore, the goal is to make the target audience aware of the different educations and jobs within STEM. The programme aims to:
- Inspire youths to choose STEM subjects and careers
- Provide the student with ideas about education choices and occupations within STEM
- Expand their horizon when it comes to their choice of education
These objectives are aligned with the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training’s STEM strategy – “Close to STEM” (see background documents).
Country:
Link to programme website:
Logo or photo:
Focus:
Impact:
It is not possible to measure the impact of the test in isolation from other actions and activities with same or similar objectives – initiated by NCSR or from other actors. NCSR make an overall assessment of own measures and programmes every year, and decide which activities to change, adjust or end. NCSR also evaluates the general trends in STEM education and labour market in Norway and assesses the impact of its initiatives in this context.
Reach:
The main target of the programme is to reach 35.000 students per year (each successfully completing the test). In 2020, the 45.000 students completed the test (significantly exceeding the target).
Budget and funding model:
The programme is funded by the Ministry of Education and NCSR (fixed yearly budget). In addition, campaigns are developed in partnership with different companies and universities that want to contribute to the work within STEM-recruitment.
Year start:
2009
Status:
data_page_highlighted_yes_no:
data_page_summary:
“The Education test” is a research-based test that aims to inform young people or pupils about educations and professions within STEM, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. The test result provides the pupil with information about his or her personality traits, how he or she learns best, and suggest some STEM occupations that fits their personality. The test is free to use and available in Norwegian and English.
data_page_impact:
The programme reaches over 45.000 students per year, providing them with a framework for reflection about their own abilities and choices related to STEM education and career paths. The programme contributes directly to the objectives of the national STEM strategy ('Close to STEM') of the Norwegian government.
data_page_icon_programme:
Jul
07
2021
NCR initiates taskforce in preparation of new Norwegian STEM strategy
By admin
Country:
Norway
Abstract:
Following the work on a possible Norwegian Technology Pact (see related Taskforce) the National Centre for Science Recruitment (Norwegian STEM platform) initiated a taskforce in preparation of a new Norwegian STEM Strategy in follow-up of the current Norwegian STEM strategy ('Close to STEM') which was concluded in 2020.
More information on taskforce meetings and related events will follow soon.
Jul
07
2021
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