Girls Determine Their Career With STEAM
Within the scope of TUBITAK 4004, 'Girls Plan Their Careers with STEAM - 2' project was held on 06-11 September 2021 at Muş Alparslan University Congress and Culture Center
25 successful female students from Muş had the opportunity to interview with scientists who have an academic career in the fields of drama, engineering applications, music and science, basic coding skills, 3D design, robotic applications, industry 4.0 and STEM education, virtual presentations, augmented reality (AG) for 6 days. Assistant Professor İsmail Dönmez from Muş Alparslan University, Bulanık Vocational School undertook the responsibility as the coordinator of the project which aims to increase the awareness of female students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM).
In the opening meeting, Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Yaşar Karadağ stated that it is very important for female students to pursue their careers in related fields, both for themselves and for our country. Bulanık Vocational School Director, Assistant Professor Ahmet Galip Halidi, stated that the project was very valuable and it aimed to increase the participants’ desire for curiosity, research, questioning and learning. Assistant Professor Member İsmail Dönmez stated that TUBITAK Science and Society Projects have been implemented for 15 years to evoke the love of nature and science in participants who range from kindergarten to university, and 100 projects were supported throughout Turkey this year, and also it is the only project which takes support in Muş among 4004, 4005 and 4007 coded projects. Pointing out to research findings which show that there were problems in female students’ participation to the activities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, Dönmez stated that nonformal trainings held within the scope of the project made significant contributions to the career development of female students. He stated that these pioneering studies for the representation of female students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and art in 21st century will epitomize for further studies.
Within the framework of the project, workshops and career conversations were held with the supports of qualified personnel from Muş Alparslan University, Muş STEM and Science Center, Muş Science High School, Gazi University, Bitlis Eren University, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Erciyes University, Van Science and Art Center (BİLSEM), Kocaeli Directorate of National Education. As the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Associate Professor Zeliha Tekin participated to the career conversations and introduced the future professions and new career opportunities to the students. Dean of the Faculty of Education Prof. Dr. Esin Kaya mentioned about her career journey to female students and emphasized the importance of career planning. She also shared her thoughts about how polymer and nanotechnology applications will shape the future.
--Translated by Ayşegül HERDİLİ