Regina panel discussion highlights gender gap in women in science

Roughly 90 teenage girls from Regina’s Miller High School got a surge of inspiration from women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) on Monday.

A panel was held at the Saskatchewan Science Centre to mark the International Day for Women and Girls in Science, which brings to light the gender gap worldwide in STEM careers.

The United Nations’ latest research shows less than 30 per cent of researchers globally are women. When it comes to female enrollment in post-secondary education in STEM-related fields, statistics are particularly low in information and communications technology (three per cent); natural science, math and statistics (five per cent); and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (eight per cent).

Regina’s celebrating #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience with a panel discussion at the @SkScienceCentre. Around 90 teenage girls from Miller High School are hearing from women working in science, technology, engineering and math. #YQR #WomeninSTEM pic.twitter.com/Gm8s8YETHc

— Jessie Anton (@jessieanton_) February 11, 2019

When panelist and chemical engineer Tara Zrymiak convocated from university in 1985, she remembers being one of three women in her class.

Even though the number of women enrolling in post-secondary STEM-related fields is gradually increasing, not much has changed in regards to the ingrained sexism.

“The problems are there and the problems are real,” Zrymiak said, adding oftentimes it comes in the form of off-hand comments.

“The people saying them don’t even realize what they’re saying and they don’t realize that what they’re saying could offend. If you’re trying to tackle that, then it’s hard when people don’t know it’s even there.”

She said the best thing women experiencing sexism in the workplace can do is communicate how they’re feeling.

“This is a people problem, and we need to make sure that men are also involved and listening to all these issues – that’s the only way that we’re going to get better,” she explained.

Inspiring future women in science

Looking on at the young, inquisitive female minds in the crowd on Monday afternoon, Zrymiak said she hopes they took away from the panel that they have the power to change the world.

“Taking science in high school is a great start, but they can dream beyond that and use it to make society be better,” she encouraged.

With early admission into the University of Regina’s biochemistry program, Grade 12 student Emily Herzberger left the event feeling motivated.

“They’re just making so much progress in the world and it’s so inspiring,” the 17-year-old smiled.

When it comes to the potential sexism she could face down the line, Herzberger said she’s prepared for it, but it won’t stop her from following her dreams of studying human genetics.

“You just need to keep on going and keep pushing – don’t stop until you’re where you need to be,” she said.