Only about 30% of science researchers in the world are women and the gender digital and science divide has only increased in developing countries since 2013.
Bridging this gap is complicated because its roots run deep. Unequal access to education for girls; gender stereotypes and poor access to science labs are just some of the obstacles in the way of girls being curious about science and technology
That's where I Am Science comes in.
Aimed at early high school girls in disadvantaged urban areas, the project combines science activities; video, and digital learning with the dual aim of increasing curiosity in science and changing perceptions around girls in science.
The project offers girls the chance to do hands-on science activities; be professionally filmed doing these, and watch similar videos of their peers on a popular learning app.
Teen girls will touch, hear and see the scientific concepts they’ve only heard about from words on a chalkboard. They will watch themselves in high-quality videos of science activities. They will be able to say, ‘I am science’, because science is all around us. And it is for everyone, no matter who you are, or where you come from.
I Am Science is a project by the Goethe-Institut South Africa with financial support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implemented by the Goethe-Institut and supported by GIZ.
