Scan Magazine | Education Profile | The House of Natural Sciences
30 girls from Egaa Gymnasium visited the technology company Terma for this year’s Girls’ Day in Science. They got to try out exciting technologies such as radar systems, space aviation and self-defence systems for airplanes.
Inspiring girls to a future in science and tech The Danish non-profit organisation The House of Natural Sciences works to increase young people’s interest in natural science and technology. CEO Nanna Seidelin tells Scan Magazine why even in Denmark, a country famous for its gender equality, some industries still lack women, why this is a problem, and what can be done to resolve it. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Terma
The House of Natural Sciences, a private non-profit organisation, was founded in 2009 as the result of a growing concern over young people’s lack of interest in natural science. Among the initiatives created by the house is Jet-Net.dk, a network of 80 companies collaborating with schools and educational institutions to provide youngsters with more practical insight into what a career in natural science and technology might entail.
a high level of equality in regards to men and women’s opportunities on the labour market. But when it comes to IT and technology, we still have a noticeable lack of women. This year, just 27 per cent of the people who pursued a career in IT were women,” says Seidelin. “This is a problem, because we already have a lack of qualified people in IT, and if we miss out on half of the population that shortage only increases.”
Every year, Jet-Net.dk hosts the Girls’ Day in Science, which this August saw 1,400 girls meet and talk with companies and women within the science and technology sector. “In Denmark, we have
Demonstrating how technology can be used to make a real difference in people’s lives is one of the most persuasive factors when encouraging girls to enter the otherwise male-dominated field. An-
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other is meeting, talking to and being inspired by female role models, explains Seidelin. “While men tend to be more interested in the technology and science in itself, women tend to be more interested in how science and technology can improve society.” Increasing the number of women in science would not just be beneficial for the many companies that look to recruit both men and women because of the workplace advantages of having a diverse workforce. It can also lead to more and different problems being solved, according to Seidelin. “Take technology, for instance; it is something that is part of our everyday life, but if solutions are only developed by men, we don’t necessarily get the best solution to the problem.”
Web: www.jet-net.dk