Event Recap | Future Innovators October 2024
Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in STEM
On October 22, 2024, iWIST hosted a transformative event at Vic High in collaboration with School District 61 (SD61), bringing together high school students, university students, and professional women in STEM. The event was inspired by a common sentiment voiced by female students in the University of Victoria's Engineering and Computer Science co-op program: "I wish I had seen successful women in STEM when I was in high school.” Tara Coulter, iWIST Director and event lead, felt this was worth following up on and developed the panel event with those needs in mind.
With women still underrepresented in STEM, iWIST knows that mentorship and role models are essential for encouraging young women to pursue these fields. The event featured an inspiring panel of women sharing their career journeys, challenges, and triumphs.
Our panelists included:
Michelle Mahovlich, P.Eng., P.Geo., Engineering Consultant and Board Chair, Engineers and Geoscientists BC
Sema Hamidi, P.Eng., Project Engineer, Avalon Mechanical
Jenni Christensen, PhD, RPBio, Founder & CEO, TrichAnalytics Laboratory
Emily Murray, UVic Software Engineering Student & President, UVic Women in Engineering & Computer Science
Alison Bird, Seismologist and Liaison & Outreach Officer, Earthquake Early Warning, Natural Resources Canada
Kezia Devathasan, PhD Student, SEGAL Lab & Program Manager, Inspire UVic
The event kicked off with an engaging video introducing each panelist. The video was produced by iWIST member and sponsor Lorraine Scollan, owner of YYJ Productions and iWIST Director Robyn Quinn, representing sponsor Big Bang Communications. Over 160 students and parents who attended experienced a special treat - after the panel wrapped up they had the opportunity to connect with 20 volunteers from diverse STEM disciplines set up to talk about everything from biomedical engineering to robotics.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many students leaving feeling motivated and excited about pursuing careers in STEM. Due to the event's success, iWIST is already planning to return to Vic High in 2025 and is working to host a similar event for students in SD62 (Sooke, Langford, Colwood) in the spring.
The future of women in STEM looks bright—and events like this help make it happen!