Alissa Van Soest inspiring the next generation of women in STEM

Alissa Van Soest, General Manager of the Discovery Science & Technology Centre Bendigo, is a passionate advocate for women in STEM.

In this episode, Alissa shares with host Kimberley Furness, her insights on the importance of STEM education, not just as a set of subjects, but as a foundation for critical thinking, creativity, and resilience—skills crucial for jobs of the future.

Despite the growing need for STEM skills, with 75% of future jobs requiring them, Alissa highlights a concerning statistic: only 27% of the STEM workforce is female. This gap represents not only missed opportunities for women but also a wealth of untapped potential and knowledge.

Alissa discusses the "leaky pipeline" phenomenon, where girls as young as three to five begin to associate certain careers with gender, leading to a decrease in female participation in STEM fields as they grow older.

Alissa also shares the success of the Girls in STEM program at Discovery, which empowers grade six girls to explore different areas of science and become role models in their schools. The program has been instrumental in building confidence and breaking down stereotypes about who can excel in STEM.

As the General Manager of Discovery, Alissa has led significant projects, including a transition to online workshops during COVID-19 and the establishment of a new planetarium.

Alissa's story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance in driving positive change for women in STEM. Her work continues to inspire the next generation of girls to explore the wonders of science and technology without limits.

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR MCKERN STEEL

This series is proudly sponsored by McKern Steel. McKern Steel is a leading supplier of high-quality structural steel for residential projects across Victoria.

Located across three venues in Bendigo, they are dedicated to keeping their business regionally based.

McKern Steel are also an active player in the community through the McKern Foundation, which is focused on contributing to community projects that benefit the health and wellbeing of youth.

ABOUT OUR HOST KIMBERLEY FURNESS

Kimberley Furness is the national award winning publisher of OAK Magazine, a proudly independent media publisher dedicated to sharing stories and amplifying voices of female change makers and women in business in regional and rural Australia. Kimberley is a long time content creator for print and digital, a social media trainer for rural business owners and the host of chart topping podcasts A Friend of Mine and She Makes News.

ABOUT BE.BENDIGO

Every successful community has a strong and growing business community.

Be.Bendigo exists to provide a range of information, support and programs to assist, develop and grow our broader business community. We are member based organisation with a commitment to developing our business so that we can continue to add value for our members, partners and stakeholders.

Find out more via our website. Be social on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.