🟢👩‍🔬🎓💡 Survey Women in STEM and Space Tech – Close the gap!

The 👩‍🔬 Women in STEM and Space Tech – Close the Gap! survey was created as part of the 📢OpenLaunch Initiative to better understand the representation of women in these fields and identify the best practices to increase their involvement. If you are working in STEM and Space Tech and would like to contribute to please participate.

Your anonymous feedback will help us better understand the representation of women in these fields and identify best practices to encourage their involvement. We encourage everyone in STEM and Space Tech to take part in the survey, regardless of gender, to help us create a more inclusive and representative aerospace sector. Your participation is valuable and will make a difference in closing the gender gap in these fields.

The first result after 50 participants from all over Europe

The first data of the survey results were shared during the Women in Tech Space event in September 2022 and have sparked important conversations about the representation of women in STEM and Space Tech.

The results of the survey highlight the need for increased efforts to support and encourage women to enter these fields. By implementing best practices and addressing the challenges faced by women, we can create a more inclusive and representative aerospace sector that maximizes innovation and better serves all users. Women represent less than 25% of the STEM workforce, indicating a significant gender gap in these fields. This disparity is concerning as it limits the diversity of perspectives and experiences in the development of new products and services.

Questions in detail: Do you have any suggestions on how to encourage more women into the Aerospace sector? 

The results of the survey suggest that there are various ways to encourage more women into the Aerospace sector. One of the key ways is to start early, from high school and middle school. This can be done through better orientation programs and by encouraging girls to take an interest in science, engineering, and technology. Moreover, schools can also organize events and conferences for young girls, and invite female speakers who work in the Aerospace sector to talk about their careers and the opportunities available.

Another suggestion is to challenge gender stereotypes and make young girls realize that jobs don’t have a gender. This can be done by promoting positive role models in the Aerospace sector, and by creating sci-fi cartoons or other media that feature female main characters.

The work environment in the Aerospace sector must also be open, welcoming, and focused on learning rather than prior knowledge and experience. Women must be encouraged and welcomed, even if they are beginners. Additionally, mentors and mentorship programs can also be a great way to encourage women into the sector.

Marketing strategies also play a crucial role in attracting women into the Aerospace sector. Products such as toys and other items should not be marketed as a “boy’s theme”, as this can create preconceived stereotypes from a young age.

In conclusion, there are various ways to encourage more women into the Aerospace sector, including starting early, breaking gender stereotypes, creating a supportive work environment, promoting positive role models, and making the Aerospace sector more accessible to women through marketing and events.

What, in your opinion, are some values that women can bring into Aerospace or STEM fields?

Creativity, innovation, problem-solving skills, attention to detail, collaboration, leadership skills, and emotional intelligence. These values can add a new dimension to the industry, bringing fresh ideas and approaches to solve complex problems, as well as improving communication, teamwork, and overall workplace culture.

It is important to note that women bring unique skills and experiences to any industry, including Aerospace and STEM fields. Women have a reputation for being detail-oriented and organized, which can lead to more thorough and comprehensive solutions to problems. They also bring strong communication and interpersonal skills, which are vital in a team-based work environment. Women are often natural problem-solvers and can bring a fresh perspective to projects, helping to drive innovation and growth.

Another important value that women can bring to the Aerospace industry is empathy and emotional intelligence. Women are often well-rounded individuals who can understand and connect with others on a personal level, which can be a valuable asset in a team-based work environment. Women are also known for their perseverance and determination, which can be a great asset when facing tough challenges and obstacles in the workplace.

It is also important to remember that women can bring a strong focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. With the increasing focus on protecting our planet, having individuals in the Aerospace industry who have a strong passion for preserving our environment can be a game changer. Women can bring a unique perspective on the impact of our technological advancements on the environment and help shape the future of space exploration to be more sustainable and responsible.

Finally, women can bring a strong sense of diversity and inclusivity to the Aerospace industry. With a more varied and diverse workforce, comes a more robust exchange of ideas and an increased likelihood of breakthroughs and innovations. Women can play a crucial role in creating a more inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone feels valued and heard.

In conclusion, women bring a unique set of skills and experiences to the Aerospace and STEM industries that can lead to more innovative, sustainable, and inclusive solutions. The Aerospace industry would benefit from having a more diverse and equal representation of women in its workforce.

If you are a woman, what job do you want to have in the space field? What function?

Based on the results of the survey, it is evident that women have a strong interest in pursuing careers in the space field. The majority of respondents expressed a desire to work in engineering, with a focus on propulsion and system engineering. Some women expressed interest in becoming an astronaut or working on interplanetary missions as a bridge between science and engineering. There were also women who wanted to work in the area of research or developing new technologies in the space industry.

In addition, there were women who expressed a desire to take on leadership roles in the industry, such as team or department leaders. A few respondents also mentioned their interest in entrepreneurship and project management within the space field.

It is encouraging to see that women are interested in pursuing careers in technical and engineering-focused roles in the space industry. This represents a significant shift from traditional gender roles and highlights the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. With a wide range of interests and skills, women can bring unique perspectives and approaches to problem-solving, leading to more innovative and effective solutions in the space industry.

Do you think your team/project has inspired more females into STEM or Aerospace? If yes, how?

Based on the results of the survey, it is evident that some team members believe that their team/project has inspired more females into STEM or Aerospace. They feel that by showcasing the achievements and successes of their team, they can inspire and motivate women and girls to take the leap of faith and pursue careers in these fields. Some team members have taken steps to be inclusive and are never afraid of giving women larger tasks, which has increased their confidence and made them feel like they can take on more responsibility.

A few team members are also trying to collaborate with WomenInAerospace and have organized workshops for children to present their activities and show the opportunities available in STEM fields. Moreover, the presence of women in the team is seen as a motivation for other girls who may be considering joining. By having more women on the team, they can feel like they are not alone and this could encourage them to take the plunge.

On the other hand, some team members feel that gender does not play a role in inspiring women into STEM or Aerospace. They believe that everyone, regardless of gender, has equal opportunities and capabilities to pursue careers in these fields. However, some team members did mention that the increase in the number of females on the team in recent years is a positive sign that more women are inspired to join.

In conclusion, while some team members believe that their team/project has inspired more women into STEM or Aerospace, others feel that gender does not play a role in inspiring women into these fields. Regardless of their views, the team members agree that by creating an inclusive and welcoming environment, showcasing opportunities and successes, and encouraging women to take on larger tasks, they can inspire and motivate women to pursue careers in STEM or Aerospace.

Any final thoughts, notes, or best practices you would like to share?

The results of this survey highlight the importance of working towards increasing diversity and encouraging more women into STEM and Aerospace fields. Many respondents stressed the importance of creating an inclusive and welcoming environment, where women feel like they have the opportunity to take on larger tasks and responsibilities, and to see other women in leadership positions. By showcasing women in these fields and highlighting the successes they have achieved, other girls and women can feel motivated and inspired to pursue careers in STEM and Aerospace.

However, it is also clear that there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of achieving complete equality and bridging the gender gap in these fields. Some respondents noted that the low representation of women in STEM and Aerospace is the result of deeply ingrained cultural attitudes and stereotypes, and that simply reserving positions for women is not the solution. Rather, it is important to work together to create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, regardless of gender.

Finally, some respondents emphasized the importance of being open and honest about the challenges and difficulties associated with careers in STEM and Aerospace. It is important to be transparent about the level of commitment and hard work required so that new members do not feel misled or discouraged later on.

Overall, the results of this survey suggest that there is a great deal of work to be done in order to increase diversity and promote equality in STEM and Aerospace fields. However, with a concerted effort and a commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment, it is possible to encourage more women to pursue careers in these fields, and to help bridge the gender gap in the future.

🔗 Related Lessons Arguments

• The benefits of a diverse workforce in STEM industries
• Breaking down gender biases and stereotypes in STEM education and the workplace
• The importance of mentorship and networking for women in STEM
• Creating an inclusive learning environment for women in STEM

🔑 Lesson Key Terms

• STEM fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
• Gender gap: Disproportionate representation of one gender in a particular field or industry
• Mentorship: A relationship in which a more experienced person provides guidance and support to a less experienced person
• Diversity: The representation of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in a group or organization

💡 Ideas and Exploration

• Participate in the survey
• Interview successful female professionals in STEM fields
• Participate in a mentorship program for women in STEM
• Conduct research on gender biases and stereotypes in STEM industries
• Visit a STEM-focused company and learn about their diversity and inclusion initiatives

🎓 Educators

• Let the class organize a survey using Google Form
• Team-building activities that promote teamwork and communication skills
• Interdisciplinary projects that bring together students from different STEM fields
• Collaborative research projects on topics related to diversity and inclusion in STEM
• Guest speakers from successful female professionals in STEM fields

🤷‍♂️ Role-Play Activities

• Act out scenarios that address gender biases in STEM education and the workplace
• Create role-plays that showcase successful female professionals in STEM fields
• Develop role-plays that simulate a mentorship program for women in STEM