More than 140 girls in Years 10, 11 and 12 will attend today’s [11 February] Meet a Scientist event held by the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne to learn more about exciting and rewarding careers in science.
The event, which celebrates the United Nations’ International Day of Women and Girls in Science on the same day, will see top researchers from the Women’s present and lead demonstrations to students from 25 schools.
Dr Michelle Peate and Dr Sarah Carson will talk students through their career path to being senior research fellows in gynaecology and obstetrics. Neonatologist Dr Louise Owen will demonstrate how premature babies are ventilated and Dr Dorothy Machalek will demonstrate how women are tested for HPV.
The Women’s Chief Executive Office, Dr Sue Matthews, says the event - now in its fourth year – is a great opportunity to inspire the next generation of women in science.
“As an organisation focused on improving the health of women and girls, supporting vulnerable women and advocating for women’s rights, we are passionate about inspiring the next generation of women to pursue a career in science, nursing, midwifery, allied health, biomedical technology, medicine, and research.
“We believe that girls and women need to be encouraged, supported and cheered on at every opportunity.
“The young women at our annual Meet a Scientist event will hear from the Women’s phenomenal researchers and clinicians, who are making a real difference to the health of women and newborns. It’s a great opportunity for the students to come to the hospital and think about the sort of impact they could have with a career in science.
“These students have some important decisions to make for their education and future career. Our hope is that we showcase a career in science as an exciting and rewarding one, and then, you never know - we could be employing these young women in years to come!”