In Japan, the ministry of education is
making a BIG move to increase the number of female researchers in science. One
of their projects is motivating female junior and high school students to
enroll to departments of science and engineering at colleges and universities
across the country. According to a survey conducted by L'Oréal, the biggest private source of funding
for female scientists, Japan has the lowest number of female scientists among
developed countries.
During the campus open house this year, we,
ACES, took an initiative to organize a science project focusing on lab work for
female junior and high school students. We had 22 participants signed up for
this event that is more than double the participants compared to last year. The
project consists of an exciting presentation, mineral water analysis using
ICP-AES, data analysis and sample tasting that is a unique part of this
program.
It was only a 90-minute class, but we hope
that we could leave something lasting in their memory, even if it was a tiny piece.
We would feel privileged if this event will be one of the “data” for these young
and ambitious girls to make the right choice for their bright career. Back to
the L'Oréal
survey, one of the reasons why Japan is behind in terms of the number of female
scientists, is stated as “lacking role models of female scientists.” Knowing
that, I need to remind myself to be trained every day to be a better researcher
who is living fully in this field J
