STEM, high school students, gender: Are they compliant issues?

Abstract

The present paper describes the work of several experiences and initiatives organized by a group of postgraduate students, researchers and higher education teachers. The main objective of each of these activities besides promoting and increasing student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) as future carrier area, they are used to uncover what engineers do. By doing this, girls and boys may feel more encouraged to follow these areas of knowledge, building a more inclusive community. According to each activities' main objective, they have occurred in the university or in secondary environment. The first results indicate a lack of knowledge regarding engineering and technological careers, strengthening the importance of these activities and working directly with secondary school students.