STEM for girls at the University of Waterloo

Many of the jobs for future generations will require a background in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Yet, current projections indicate there won't be enough people to fill these positions.

The people with knowledge and understanding of STEM will shape our future. But if they all have a similar profile, it will limit the potential for innovation. At Waterloo, we know it's important to encourage young women, and other underrepresented groups, to get involved in STEM fields.

Join us.

Explore our programs and events

Saturday, December 1, 2018 - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm EST

PhysiX: Girls Matter 2018

Grades 7 – 8, free

Join us on December 1st to connect with like-minded students in exciting workshops, meet role models, and hear mentors share their experiences. If you are in middle school and have an inquisitive, creative mind this one-day, free event will broaden your understanding of what physics is, what physicists do, and what is so interesting about this field.

Science
Physics

Sunday, January 28, 2018 - 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm EST

Hopper Club

Grades 7 – 9, $90

Hopper meets once a month on Saturday afternoons to explore a Coding & Technology topic. Through hands-on activities and mentors, this program is designed to have an early positive influence on girls’ attitudes towards software engineering and computer science.

Engineering

Sunday, January 28, 2018 - 9:30 am to 12:00 pm EST

Earhart Club

Grades 7 – 9, $75

Earhart meets once a month on Saturday mornings to explore a Science & Engineering topic with a female role model in that field. Through hands-on activities and mentors, this program is designed to have an early positive influence on girls’ attitudes towards science, engineering and technology.

Engineering

Sunday, January 28, 2018 - 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm EST

Ada Club

Grades 4 – 6, $90

Ada meets once a month on Saturday mornings to explore a Coding & Technology topic. This program is designed to have an early positive influence on girls’ attitudes towards software engineering and computer science.

Engineering

Sunday, January 28, 2018 - 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm EST

Rosalind Club

Grades 4 – 6, $75

Rosalind meets once a month on Saturday afternoons to explore a Science & Engineering topic with a female role model in that field. This program is designed to have an early positive influence on girls’ attitudes towards science, engineering and technology.

Engineering

Saturday, April 7, 2018 (All day)

Think About Math (Toronto)

Grades 9 – 10, $25

Think About Math! (TAM) is designed to ignite enthusiasm in high school girls for mathematics. It is a workshop demonstrating that math is fun, relevant, and leads to exciting careers.

Mathematics

Friday, April 13, 2018 (All day)

Think About Math (Waterloo)

Grades 9 – 10, $25

Think About Math! (TAM) is designed to ignite enthusiasm in high school girls for mathematics. It is a workshop demonstrating that math is fun, relevant, and leads to exciting careers.

Mathematics

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 (All day)

Let's Talk Science Challenge

Grades 6 – 8, free

Have your teacher register a team now for the April 25, 2018 Challenge, an on-campus quiz and design challenge for students in Grades 6-8.

Science

Saturday, May 12, 2018 (All d to Saturday, May 19, 2018 (All day)

CS Girls Workshop

Grades 9 – 10, $150

The CEMC Workshop in Computer Science for Young Women encourages young women considering computer science as a career. Through lectures, labs and hands-on activities, the workshop explores the foundations and applications of computer science that have a profound effect on the world today.

Mathematics

Saturday, May 26, 2018 (All day)

Think About Math (Vancouver)

Grades 9 – 10, $25

Think About Math! (TAM) is designed to ignite enthusiasm in high school girls for mathematics. It is a workshop demonstrating that math is fun, relevant, and leads to exciting careers.

Mathematics

Saturday, December 2, 2017 - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm EST

PhysiX: Girls Matter

Grades 7 – 8, free

Connect with like-minded students in exciting workshops, meet role models, and hear mentors share their experiences. If you are in middle school and have an inquisitive, creative mind this one-day, free event will broaden your understanding of what physics is, what physicists do, and what is so interesting about this field.

Physics

“Code Squad gave my daughter valuable hands-on experience with coding, and really helped boost her problem-solving skills. She made new friends who share her interests, and now she's building a website for her student club!”

Parent, Code Squad

Facts and figures

$288,000 in 6 renewable scholarships for outstanding female students entering STEM fields.

University of Waterloo scholarships

29.2%of 2016 incoming engineering 1st year class are female.

33% morefemale enrollment in STEM outreach programs by 2020.

Our Commitment — HeForShe

30 by 3030% of newly licensed engineers will be female by 2030.

Engineers Canada

37%proportion female in 2015 incoming math class

Faculty Council Sept 2015

Ontario Network of Women in Engineering

Want to change the perceptive of engineering? We are excited to share OnWiE's new video which showcases girls' impressions of the different professions and some fantastic women engineers.