More than 50 percent of the girls who participated in activities of STEM is FEM, a Ukrainian educational project, indicate that it has influenced their choice of further education. Among them, 17% radically changed their educational goal because of the project. Serhiy Tokarev—initiator of STEM is FEM, IT entrepreneur, and investor—shared this information with Ukrainian media. According to him, the project team managed to get a lot of information about the importance of the project and the educational needs of the Ukrainian girls as at the end of 2023 they surveyed girls involved in the project’s initiatives.
STEM is FEM promotes STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) among Ukrainian girls. In 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine honored the project with the title “Honorary Ambassador of Ukraine in the field of scientific and educational diplomacy.” Serhiy Tokarev, the initiator of STEM is FEM, noted that in 2023 the project received more than four thousand applications to participate in the project’s activities. In its five years of existence, the public organization has united over 500 participants into one community.
“Most often, girls join the project at the age of 16-20. Thus, we can observe how project participants, who joined as high school students, entered universities and received their first job offers in STEM specialties. The project conducts educational activities that inspire young Ukrainian women to pursue their dreams, overcome gender stereotypes, and become a new generation of professionals in science and technology,” shares Serhiy Tokarev.
According to the survey, 96% of community participants would like to have a mentor—a successful woman in a particular industry they like who would share knowledge and experience with them. Additionally, 97% of girls would like to get an opportunity to intern in their chosen specialty. Often, such opportunities arise after participating in educational events organized by the project.
For instance, in 2023, STEM is FEM implemented the educational course “Urbanism”. One of its graduates was Renata Seyfullina who was studying civil engineering at Lviv Polytechnic at that time. The topic of urban planning captivated Renata so much that she decided to transfer to the Kharkiv School of Architecture. Alongside this decision, Renata interned at the Lviv City Council, where she analyzed future urban projects and interacted with local architects.
Three other participants in the “Urbanism” course—Anfisa Kaida, Daria Koval, and Natalia Liuklian—visited Okhtyrka as part of an internship with the non-governmental organization UrbanReform. The girls assisted in developing the town’s master plan. Such internships serve as examples of engaging youth in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, as the quality restoration of Ukrainian cities can only be achieved with the participation of people with diverse experiences.
According to the survey, 55% of girls from the community opted for STEM education. For instance, one participant, Olena Petryshyn, is a student at Milton Academy. Among the subjects she studies, there are the history and philosophy of science and science in the modern world. Another community member, Margarita Perepelytsia, received a gold medal at the International Environmental Genius Olympiad and has a publication in the American scientific journal International Journal of High School Research.
According to community members, thanks to STEM is FEM events, they had the opportunity to determine their future profession and acquire new knowledge, as well as a sense of belonging to a like-minded community and motivation to develop their career within STEM disciplines.