Guides have a STEMtastic time at AUT
Recently nearly 80 Guides from around Auckland explored AUT during STEMtastic, an event presented by She Sharp and hosted by AUT, for GirlGuiding New Zealand.
For Director of Women in Technology Dr Mahsa Mohaghegh, getting girls excited about technology early is crucial to helping grow the number of women studying and working in STEM careers. “I was inspired by my own father to pursue computer engineering. It was exciting to see so many girls – who already have so much insight into technology – on campus interacting with our She # ambassadors and engaging in hands-on learning.”
The Guides each participated in two workshop sessions, including augmented reality, Makey Makey circuitry, App inventor and Sphero Robotics.
The event was the first Discovery event partnership with GirlGuiding New Zealand for AUT. The event was developed in partnership with Dr Mohaghegh by Nicola Igusa, Communications Manager working for the Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies and supported by the Future Students team.
“Research by KRC Research and Microsoft shows girls get turned off STEM careers early – around Intermediate age – and that they’re influenced by women in industry. Knowing that GirlGuiding New Zealand is focused on providing opportunities for its members to explore STEM made partnering for a Discovery event a no brainer for us,” says Nicola.
“Thanks to the support of our Chief Marketing Officer Luke Patterson and our Commercial Partnerships Director Tim Huston we were able to add the knowledge of Brand and Marketing together with Dr Mohaghegh’s expertise to make STEM accessible and fun for these Auckland Guides.”
Senior Lecturer Mahsa Mohaghegh teaches App Inventor
Guides using Makey Makey and their skin's conductivity to make music