RTU Launches New “Girls in STEAM” Initiative
To inspire and encourage primary and middle school girls to study and pursue careers in science and technology, Riga Technical University’s (RTU) Department of Public Relations is launching a new educational initiative – “Girls in STEAM”, as part of its interest education program “Introduction to Engineering”, implemented by the RTU Children and Youth University.
Over the years, RTU’s Children and Youth University has observed that boys are more likely to participate in engineering-related activities, and male students still dominate the fields of engineering and technology. With the “Girls in STEAM” initiative, RTU aims to challenge stereotypes and show girls that they too can become outstanding scientists, inventors, and engineers.
To serve as a role model for the participants, our researcher Ph.D. Anda Fridrihsone, recipient of the prestigious L’Oréal Baltic “For Women in Science” fellowship, will lead hands-on, inspiring workshops for three age groups – 2nd–3rd, 4th–6th, and 7th–9th grade girls – at RTU’s Ķīpsala student campus.
Anda Fridrihsone has been working at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry since 2010. She received the L’Oréal Baltic fellowship for her research “Life Cycle Assessment of Polyols and Polyurethane Materials Derived from Rapeseed Oil”. The aim of the research is to conduct a complete life cycle assessment (LCA) of polyols synthesized from rapeseed oil and the polyurethane materials produced from them at the Institute. Her work supports local researchers in evaluating the environmental footprint of biodiesel produced in Latvia and contributes valuable insights to the global scientific community.
During the workshops, Anda will not only introduce girls to her scientific work but will also guide them through practical, hands-on activities, allowing participants to discover the world of science through experiments and creative problem-solving.
“Girls in STEAM” is a step towards a more inclusive and diverse future in science. It offers young girls the opportunity to see their potential in fields that are still too often seen as “for boys.”
RTU invites other science professionals and enthusiasts to join this initiative and become role models for the next generation – because every girl should know that she can be the next inventor, researcher, or engineer.
