From Dreams to Discoveries: How STEAM Tales inspire the next generation of girls in STEM

Friday 17 January 2025

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Over a century ago in Turin, Italy, there lived a curious and bright girl with a passion for exploring the world. She dreamt of becoming a writer, but when her nanny fell ill, she realised her true calling was to help those who were sick. Determined to gain the knowledge to heal others, she chose to study medicine. Despite her father’s doubts and the limited opportunities for women at the time, she graduated with top honours. Overcoming the challenges imposed by the fascist regime and persevering through years of hard work and dedication, she made a groundbreaking impact on the field of neurobiology. Her discoveries not only deepened our understanding of serious diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS but also paved the way for future research, leading to advancements in treatments and cures.

The hero of this story is a The hero of this story is a Nobel prize winner Rita Levi-Montalcini. Rita’s journey from a young dreamer to a Nobel Prize-winning scientist is more than just an inspiring tale—it’s a powerful example for young girls today. Through her story, children can see what’s possible in the world of STEM, where curiosity, perseverance, and passion can lead to incredible achievements.

STEAM Tales embraces the transformative power of storytelling to connect girls with inspiring role models in STEM, such as Rita Levi-Montalcini. Through captivating narratives, children can easily relate to these figures and explore their contributions to STEM fields. At the same time, the project helps break down stereotypes, creating an inclusive environment where girls from all backgrounds feel empowered to pursue STEM careers and reach their full potential.

The role models featured in STEAM Tales come from diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and diversity. By telling the fascinating stories of women like Ana Mayer-Kanšky, Andreja Gomboc, Ángela Piskernik, Asta Hampe, Domitila de Carvalho, Elvira Fortunato, Emmy Noether, Maryam Mirzakhani, Rose Dieng-Kuntz, Samantha Cristoforetti, Zita Martins, we show that birthplace, skin colour, or beliefs are no barriers to success in STEM.

Following Campbell’s storytelling model, as revised by the Universidade do Porto, each story begins with relatable childhood anecdotes, providing a familiar starting point for young minds. As the narratives unfold, we reveal the extraordinary achievements and challenges these women overcame to reach their esteemed positions.

Additionally, the project includes hands-on experiments designed to help children explore and better understand the research and inventions of these remarkable women. This approach makes learning interactive and engaging, further inspiring girls to see themselves as future leaders in STEM.

The story of Rita Levi-Montalcini is now available in English and Italian for download!

All 12 stories with experiments will be structured as lesson plans and tested with teachers and pupils in local elementary schools in spring 2025. Stay updated!

Learn more about the gender-based barriers in STEM and approaches to empowering girls in our STEAM Tales Guide. Read more about STEAM Tales project here and follow us and learn about fabulous women in STEM!

About the project

STEAM Tales – Enhancing STEAM education through storytelling and hands-on learning is a two-year-project funded by Erasmus+, KA220-SCH – Cooperation partnerships in school education, implemented in five European countries.

Partners

For further information

Read more about the project and visit https://www.steamtales.eu/.

Contact Cecilie La Monica Grus: cecilie.lamonica@cesie.org.

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