Watch: New program aims to inspire future female scientists

Statistically, women are less likely than men to pursue careers in science and technology, but a program for school students at the University of New South Wales is aiming to change that.

female scientist

File photo. Source: AAP

A new University of New South Wales program, Curious Minds, is aiming to inspire young women and prepare them for the science and technology jobs of the future.

Despite being born in the middle of a technology boom, girls remain less likely to pursue careers in the so-called STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and maths.

Only one in four IT graduates, and one in 10 engineering graduates, are women.

Associate Professor Kelsie Dadd says a lack of role models could be to blame for the lack of young women in STEM fields.

"Most of the academics, if they go to university, will be male," she told SBS News.

"A lot of the other people that they'll be going through with in university are male. It makes it that little bit more difficult for the young women to come though and think that, 'Yes, this is a field for me.'"

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Watch: New program aims to inspire future female scientists | SBS News