Girls In Astronomy - Pursuing Gender Equity In Basic Science Education

Talk
Student interest in astronomy and other subjects: research and practical experience
4th Shaw-IAU Workshop
Tuesday Nov. 15, 2022
UTC: 5:30 p.m. - 5:40 p.m.
Thursday Nov. 17, 2022
UTC: 11 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.

Science is a powerful institution for development, but as with any other human endeavor, it is subject to the social constraints of society, reproducing values and practices of dominant groups. The underrepresentation of women in STEM is one example of such practice. But how can we attract more girls if they keep being discouraged from STEM carriers from a very young age? In this contribution, we will revisit some gender issues in basic science education and share the lessons learned from Girls in the Museum of Astronomy project. The initiative works with the topics of Light Pollution in Science Clubs of primary schools relating it with local environmental issues with the ultimate goal of promoting science capital through astronomy.

About Patrícia Figueiró Spinelli

Patrícia Figueiró Spinelli has a PhD in Astrophysics from the International Max Planck Research School of Astrophysics, Germany. During her PhD studies, she got deeply in love with science outreach, being one of the co-founders of the IYA2009 special project GalileoMobile. Currently, she is a public astronomer at the Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences, in Rio de Janeiro. She is also a researcher and lecturer in the area of science education and communication at the Graduate Program in the Public Communication of Science, Technology, and Health at Fiocruz. Patricia is also the Brazilian coordinator of the Portuguese Expertise Language Centre Office of Astronomy for Development (PLOAD-IAU).

Watch a recording of this talk (external link)