Girls and women in STEM

Increasing girls’ and women's participation in STEM

We will identify effective actions to influence girls’ subject choices and increase their participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) areas of study, especially from year 12, and encourage them to pursue STEM careers.

Here's a short clip of students being informed and inspired by digital technologies professionals sharing insights into their jobs: Providing girls with role models for computer science careers

Check out how some of the recent graduates of Carmel College are applying the skills and knowledge they developed in technology to their study and careers.Check out how some of the recent graduates of Carmel College are applying the skills and knowledge they developed in technology to their study and careers.

Profiles of women in STEM

We are running a series of profiles on women in science, technology and engineering. We will tweet every new profile as it is posted. 

• Pat Langhorne, Professor of Physics at University of Otago
• Georgia Carson,  School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington
• Emma Tennent, PhD Student at Victoria University of Wellington
• Lisa Murray,  Communication & Consultant Meteorologist at MetService New Zealand
• Sandeeka Mannakkara, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Disaster Management, Centre for Disaster, Recovery and Reconstruction at University of Auckland
• Saya Hashimoto , Nutritionist with MSc in Human Nutrition
• Luitgard Schwendenmann , Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland
• Lucy Stewart, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at GNS Science
• Lilly Donnelly , Chemistry Student
• Amanda Clinton , Engineering Adviser, Faculty of Engineering at the University of Auckland and Board of Trustee Professionelle
• Dr Sea Rotmann , CEO of SEA - Sustainable Energy Advice Ltd
• Deanna Lomas , Director of Supply Chain at Telstra
• Catherine Pearce , Senior Security Consultant for CiscoCatherine Pearce , Senior Security Consultant for Cisco
• Flight Sergeant Nicola Brown , Avionics Technician for the Royal New Zealand Air Force
• Samantha Hoyle , School Nurse for School Based Health Services at Massey High School, Auckland
• Amanda Black , Lecturer/Researcher, BioProtection Research Centre, Lincoln UniversityAmanda Black , Lecturer/Researcher, BioProtection Research Centre, Lincoln University
• Dr Heather Hendrickson , Research Scientist studying microbial evolutionDr Heather Hendrickson , Research Scientist studying microbial evolution
• Melanie Mark-Shadbolt , bridging the gap between science and Mātauranga MāoriMelanie Mark-Shadbolt , bridging the gap between science and Mātauranga Māori
• Ani Kainamu-Murchie , Ngā Puhi, is a PhD Candidate in Environmental Science at the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre and the School of Biology, University of CanterburyAni Kainamu-Murchie , Ngā Puhi, is a PhD Candidate in Environmental Science at the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre and the School of Biology, University of Canterbury
• Rachael Wiltshire, fourth year of a BA/BSc, majoring in History and Earth Sciences with some French, German, Biology and ChemistryRachael Wiltshire, fourth year of a BA/BSc, majoring in History and Earth Sciences with some French, German, Biology and Chemistry
• Dr Lorna Strachan , Senior Lecturer of Sedimentology at the School of Environment at the University of AucklandDr Lorna Strachan , Senior Lecturer of Sedimentology at the School of Environment at the University of Auckland
• Jane Allison , Researcher who uses computer simulations to explore the behaviour of moleculesJane Allison , Researcher who uses computer simulations to explore the behaviour of molecules
• Jordan Housiaux , Marine Educator with the New Zealand Marine Studies CentreJordan Housiaux , Marine Educator with the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
• Dr Joe O’Callaghan, Coastal Physicist at NIWADr Joe O’Callaghan, Coastal Physicist at NIWA
• Marie McDonald , Masters student, single parent and part time lab assistantMarie McDonald , Masters student, single parent and part time lab assistant
• Professor Andrea C. Alfaro , Professor of Marine Ecology and Aquaculture at Auckland Univeristy of Technology
• Charlotte King , Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Anatomy, University of OtagoCharlotte King , Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Anatomy, University of Otago
• Eleni Gkeli , Senior Engineering Geologist and Team Leader at Opus International Consultants in WellingtonEleni Gkeli , Senior Engineering Geologist and Team Leader at Opus International Consultants in Wellington
• Helen Bostock , Senior Researcher in sedimentology and paleoceanography at NIWAHelen Bostock , Senior Researcher in sedimentology and paleoceanography at NIWA
• Nicole Schon, Soil Scientist and Ecologist with AgResearchNicole Schon, Soil Scientist and Ecologist with AgResearch
• Ludmila Adam , Senior Lecturer in Geophysics at the School of Environment, University of AucklandLudmila Adam , Senior Lecturer in Geophysics at the School of Environment, University of Auckland
• Kathleen Campbell , Professor of Earth Science, working at the School of Environment, University of AucklandKathleen Campbell , Professor of Earth Science, working at the School of Environment, University of Auckland
• Lou Gallagher , Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago, Wellington School of Medicine and a Senior Advisor at the Ministry for Primary IndustriesLou Gallagher , Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago, Wellington School of Medicine and a Senior Advisor at the Ministry for Primary Industries
• Kate Hannah , Executive Manager of Te Pūnaha Matatini, one of New Zealand’s Centres of Research ExcellenceKate Hannah , Executive Manager of Te Pūnaha Matatini, one of New Zealand’s Centres of Research Excellence
• Dr Nicola J Day , Ecologist from New Zealand, working on the effects of wildfires in CanadaDr Nicola J Day , Ecologist from New Zealand, working on the effects of wildfires in Canada
• Susan Ellis , Principal Scientist (Geophysicist) at GNS Science
• Sian Halcrow , Bioarchaeologist, mum and frequent fieldworker in South AmericaSian Halcrow , Bioarchaeologist, mum and frequent fieldworker in South America
• Dr Christina Painting , Behavioural Ecologist focussing around the evolution of weaponry in sects and arachnids
• Dr Anna Sandiford , Forensic Science Consultant and Director of The Forensic Group Ltd Dr Anna Sandiford , Forensic Science Consultant and Director of The Forensic Group Ltd 
• Kimberley Collins , Science Communicator at Forest & BirdKimberley Collins , Science Communicator at Forest & Bird
• Nicki Brouwer , Games Tester at PikPok
• Anna Guenther , Chief Executive Officer at Pledgeme
• Jean Fletcher , PhD Candidate at the University of Otago's Centre for Science Communication
• Megan Bowra-Dean , Web Application Developer at Rabid Technologies LimitedMegan Bowra-Dean , Web Application Developer at Rabid Technologies Limited
• Linda Shi , Programmer at games company PikPokLinda Shi , Programmer at games company PikPok
• Sophia Frentz , PhD candidate at the Murdoch Childrens' Research Institute, Melbourne and the Secretary for Women in Science and Engineering at the University of MelbourneSophia Frentz , PhD candidate at the Murdoch Childrens' Research Institute, Melbourne and the Secretary for Women in Science and Engineering at the University of Melbourne  
• Dr Ocean Mercier , Senior Lecturer Te Kawa a Māui, Victoria University of Wellington and recent presenter of Project Mātauranga, a science series on Māori TVDr Ocean Mercier , Senior Lecturer Te Kawa a Māui, Victoria University of Wellington and recent presenter of Project Mātauranga, a science series on Māori TV
• Dr Sarah Morgan , Project Manager for the Participatory Science Platform, South Auckland pilotDr Sarah Morgan , Project Manager for the Participatory Science Platform, South Auckland pilot
• Kate Zwartz , Chartered Professional Engineer at the Department of ConservationKate Zwartz , Chartered Professional Engineer at the Department of Conservation
• Kimberley Hera Maxwell , PhD Student at Victoria University of WellingtonKimberley Hera Maxwell , PhD Student at Victoria University of Wellington
• Dr Nicola Gaston , Senior Lecturer at School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington and Deputy Director at The MacDiarmid Institute of Advanced Materials and NanotechnologyDr Nicola Gaston , Senior Lecturer at School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington and Deputy Director at The MacDiarmid Institute of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
• Anna Madarasz-Smith , Senior Scientist in Coastal Quality at the Hawke's Bay Regional CouncilAnna Madarasz-Smith , Senior Scientist in Coastal Quality at the Hawke's Bay Regional Council
• Kate Boersen , Community Science Coordinator for East Coast LAB (Life at the Boundary) and a Master of Science student at the University of Auckland
• Heidi Baker , Senior Forensic Scientist working for Environmental Science and Research LtdHeidi Baker , Senior Forensic Scientist working for Environmental Science and Research Ltd
• Captain Kelsi Nichols , Doctor for the New Zealand ArmyCaptain Kelsi Nichols , Doctor for the New Zealand Army
• Helen Baxter , Director of Mohawk MediaHelen Baxter , Director of Mohawk Media
• Melissa Marquez , Master of Science candidate and founder of Sarasota Fins Melissa Marquez , Master of Science candidate and founder of Sarasota Fins 
• Chye-Mei Huang , Keeper at Wellington Zoo
• Rebecca Brennan , Business Analyst at Worksafe New ZealandRebecca Brennan , Business Analyst at Worksafe New Zealand
• Dr Heidi Meudt , Botany Research Scientist at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.Dr Heidi Meudt , Botany Research Scientist at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
• Caitlin Duncan , PhD student and researcher in the Computer Science Education Research Group at the University of CanterburyCaitlin Duncan , PhD student and researcher in the Computer Science Education Research Group at the University of Canterbury
• Sarah van Herpt , Veterinary Nurse at The Nest Te Kōhanga, Wellington ZooSarah van Herpt , Veterinary Nurse at The Nest Te Kōhanga, Wellington Zoo
• Kate de Ridder , an Aeronautical Engineer for the Royal New Zealand Air ForceKate de Ridder , an Aeronautical Engineer for the Royal New Zealand Air Force
• Julie Crisford , an Intellectual Property Strategist and owner of Duon IP StrategyJulie Crisford , an Intellectual Property Strategist and owner of Duon IP Strategy
• Dr Virginia Toy , Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geology at the University of OtagoDr Virginia Toy , Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geology at the University of Otago
• Judit Klein , an iOS developer at CactuslabJudit Klein , an iOS developer at Cactuslab
• Hokimate Harwood , Bicultural Science Researcher at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa TongarewaHokimate Harwood , Bicultural Science Researcher at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
• Katrina Clokie , Testing Manager at BNZKatrina Clokie , Testing Manager at BNZ
• Emma Timewell , Communications Manager at Plant & Food Research, as well as the National Convener for the Association of Women in the Sciences NZ.Emma Timewell , Communications Manager at Plant & Food Research, as well as the National Convener for the Association of Women in the Sciences NZ.
• Dr Victoria Metcalf , National Coordinator of the Participatory Science Platform.Dr Victoria Metcalf , National Coordinator of the Participatory Science Platform.

Related information

Information on New Zealand science achievement is available at:

• Education Counts –  PISA 2012: New Zealand Summary Report
• Education Counts –  TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) 2010/11