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BRINGING FEMALE SCIENTISTS INTO THE CLASSROOM

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From 29th November till 5th December, scientists and engineers of the ALBA Synchrotron visit diferent hich schools in Barcelona to fight against stereotypes and prejudices linked to research environments. The STEM Preparades project, which has the support of the Barcelona City Council, will end next 12th December when the students visit the scientific infrastructure.

Cerdanyola del Vallès, 29th November 2017. The near future will demand more professionals with skills in science and technology. However, women in STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) only represent 15% of all the university undergraduates, according to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport for the period 2015-2016.

With the aim of stimulating scientific vocations, guaranteeing gender equality and opportunities and avoiding clichés that separate women from scientific and technological environments, the ALBA Synchrotron has launched the STEM Preparades project. It consists of a series of workshops that are held in classrooms, complemented by a visit and hands-on activities at the ALBA Synchrotron. The project also includes an analysis of the students' perceptions and motivations in these matters.

A total of 170 students from secondary public schools in Barcelona are participating. The project has been developed with the help of Eduxarxa and the support of the Barcelona City Council. It is also worth-mentioning the European project Hypatia, which has developed resources for schools, museums and research and industry centres to reach gender equality in science and technology.

"Reaching young students is the key for showing them since the very beginning that men and women have the same capabilities for science or technology," says Caterina Biscari, director of the ALBA Synchrotron.

STEM Preparades is an initiative of the ALBA Synchrotron, within its scientific dissemination program.

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Students from Institut Les Corts make a photofit portrait of a researcher during the workshop. Next, Inma Ramos, doctor in physics and responsible for the user's office at the ALBA Synchrotron.

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Christina Kamma-Lorger, doctor in biophysics and scientist at the NCD beamline of ALBA, participating in a workshop at the Institut Barri Besós. Next, students voting on qualifications of men and women at high school.

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