To mark Ada Lovelace Day, the annual celebration that promotes women working in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) ‘Empowering Women with Science and Tech’ are running a free event in Leeds for women interested in pursuing a career within Digital, Science and Technology, or further succeeding within their current careers.

Taking Ada as inspiration, it’s a free evening to allow women to get hands on tinkering with science and technology.
There will be free coding lessons, astronomy demos, the ability to make your own electronic textiles and try your hand at robotics.

Just 17% of those working in technology in the UK are female however the appetite among professional women to become digitally literate remains reassuringly high.

Events like this are key especially when over 122 attendees have registered to attend so far.

There is also a strong focus on networking and pairing up women with mentors in the region at the event too.
Finding a mentor can be an invaluable career asset for women – especially in industries not renowned for their gender diversity, like technology. As well as boosting confidence, mentors will help offer career advice and share their insights and experiences, as well as providing professional and personal guidance.

‘Empowering Women with Science and Tech’ founder Natasha Sayce-Zelem said “I wanted this event to be about giving women an opportunity to get hands on using Technology. Fear is a big issue at first, we see that lots of people who come along to the events have an appetite to learn but have less self-belief that it’s for them.

I think the problem is that many women do not link creativity with science or technology as they feel it lacks social interaction and doesn’t stimulate imagination. Once you actually have a go at doing some basic coding and realise how engaging it is, perceptions start to get shifted, which usually is the catalyst in uptake and getting more women to consider STE(A)M led careers.”

The event is kindly sponsored by BJSS and supported by Leeds Central Library / Leeds City Council and Consume Communications Ltd.