Tag: stem girls

Welcome to STEM Girls Podcast! 🎧

We’re thrilled to announce one of our most exciting new projects relating to our Makerspace Club programme!

One of our most popular weekly Makerspace club is STEM Girls every Wednesday; a space for young women interested in STEM and the world around us to come together and explore their passions and in the past several months, we have been developing a podcast project specifically for STEM girls.

Each episode will feature a chosen topic regarding STEM and anything in-between with questions relating, in which our STEM girls will give their own perspectives and have valuable discussions with each other.

This project has been a valuable and wonderful addition to making our STEM girls voices heard regarding important world issues and their wisdom and enthusiasm has played a major part in making this project so enjoyable.

An excerpt from one of our STEM girls.

When asked about why they wanted to get involved with the project, our STEM girls stated; “I wanted to get involved because it’s a new opportunity and I want to try new things.”

“I think it will be a new experience and it will be nice to do with all the girls.”

“I just like the idea of a podcast in general.”

The first episode of the podcast project will be available to listen soon. For more information, updates, episodes and content regarding this great project, follow the official STEM Girls Podcast twitter @ymca_stemgirls.

Knowledge is Power – Why STEM Girls remains integral to Paisley YMCA

STEM Girls remains one of the most popular Makerspace weekly groups run by Paisley YMCA. Taking place every Wednesday evening, STEM Girls offers a space for girls aged 8 – 17 to come together, test their knowledge, engage in exciting new projects and hang out with their friends.

Each week invites new discussions and revelations as our participants discuss the world of STEM, their feelings around society and many fascinating anecdotes that showcase just how talented and creative our young people are. The girls are also invited to have their knowledge tested every week with some brain-teasing quizzes and tests to their science skills.

Of all of the Makerspace groups run by Paisley YMCA, STEM Girls is a passion project from Youth Programme Coordinator Claire McGinley, who elaborates about what makes the group so near and dear to her heart:

“It’s a space that I really wish I had when I was younger. It’s a space I wish I had been a part of. It’s a safe space for girls and young women to just explore stem with no judgement. And we encourage making mistakes.

“Creating a space specific for young women and girls is always successful to their development and their confidence and success of building upon their skills. That’s backed up by lots of independent research.”

In spite of the success of the other Paisley YMCA weekly run groups, Claire felt that the girls in particular needed a space to grow and express themselves through STEM:

“Initially all our clubs were really successful but 80% of them were boys and I could see the potential in some of the young girls and they were getting swallowed up, so we thought we needed to create a space for them specifically to flourish.”

We have many more exciting projects planned for STEM Girls in the future and we always aim to make it as fun as it is informative and educational for our enthusiastic attendees. Keep your eyes on STEM Girls in the future, as we’re excited for what the future holds!

For more information about STEM Girls and how to get your Wednesday evening tickets, please check the Paisley YMCA Makerspace List.