Technical University of Munich
Inspiring girls from rural schools to pursue science and technology subjects
MINT-Impulse an der Schule, run by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), encourages girls to study mathematics, information technology, natural sciences and technology (MINT) by providing inspirational enrichment activities, boosting confidence and breaking down in-grained gender stereotypes. The project, seed-funded by The Hg Foundation, reaches 600 girls per year aged 14-16 at select schools in rural Bavaria which struggle to take part in extracurricular programmes because of a lack of resources and geographic isolation.
Female instructors from TUM travel to the schools to work face-to-face on research projects with the students for one school day. Students receive preparation beforehand to make the most of their time with the instructors and the programme is completed by a series of online follow-up sessions and opportunities to join a wider range of enrichment activities run by the university and its partners.
The Hg Foundation’s investment in the programme will be accompanied by a longitudinal study to capture its long-term impact on girls’ achievement and academic and career choices
“Science and technology - that's not for girls!" Unfortunately, you still hear such sentences. With our programme, we want to counteract this persistent stereotype. And the first test runs at the schools show: The mix of exciting project topics, hands-on exposure and authentic role-models works! After the project day many girls are enthusiastic - about the topics, the female TUM instructors and especially about their own abilities in this environment. We are excited to partner with The Hg Foundation, who shares our vision and who have been very entrepreneurial and pragmatic in their support. Their help will not only support the programme itself but also further important research on the impact and success factors.”
-Christine Hager, Team leader at ExploreTUM