The Surrounded by Science project participated in the “Mädchen, MINT und Making” Symposium in Nürnberg, Germany, on the 11th of September. Hosted by the Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Nürnberg, the symposium and discussions aimed to bring together different stakeholders and discuss ways to bring more girls to STEM-related outreach programmes and what can be done to make it more appealing to them. By bringing together stakeholders from outreach programme organisers to teachers, parents, and researchers, this discussion highlighted the necessity of access to STEM education for learners of all backgrounds.
At the heart of this initiative lies the EnvironMINT project, a joint effort between the FAU Nürnberg, the University of Siegen, and the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. EnvironMINT focuses on investigating the conditions for successful collaboration between schools, Fab Labs, children, parents, and peers, promoting self-determined, sustainable, and creative Making as a holistic STEM approach.