Breaking barriers to unleash STEM futures by empowering girls through mentorship in summer camps

Abstract

The underrepresentation of women in science fields limits their potential in solving current global challenges. As a lighthouse to close this gender gap, role models are crucial for girls to build their science identity, even in their early years. Therefore, we describe a combined mentoring intervention taking place during scientific summer camps for girls. In these camps, young girls lived for a week undertaking an intensive program conducting cutting-edge research and in close contact with female mentors and other girls within a community of practice. They were mentored in small groups, but there were also chances for participating in talks, entrepreneurial workshops, and social activities all together. On the last day, the girls presented their research results, sharing their perceptions about the camp and their concerns regarding the role of women in science in an open-door final conference. By means of a mixed-method assessment conceptualization, the aim of this study is to provide evidence supporting the impact of non-formal education settings to effectively enhance girls’ science potential by using inspiring female scientists acting as mentors and role models. Furthermore, the study intends to shed light on what were regarded to be the key factors of the camp design that had such an impact on the participating girls. In particular, the findings demonstrate that the participating girls improved their attitudes towards STEM after the camp, highlighting how role models, in several roles, were key to empowering them in science through the building of a gender-responsive and inclusive community. Finally, the paper also discusses the key elements of the intervention based on the lessons learned and its transferability to different educational contexts in order to expand the beneficial effects of a gender-sensitive science education to build an inclusive future.