Heya! I'm Jen Scholten, a newcomer to the space sector. After making the leap into this growing industry two years ago, my journey into the cosmos has been nothing short of eye-opening, not only in scientific discovery and innovation, but also in the urgent need for more women in this field. This realization has fueled my determination to make a difference.
That's why I've joined forces with Space6ix, a vibrant and inclusive community of space enthusiasts from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), to launch a crowdfunding campaign to set up a Space booth at the Dreamer Day Fest in Toronto, Ontario, on October 25, 2023. This event will bring together over 4,000 high-school girls to explore the STEAM-focused career opportunities available to them and my ultimate goal is simple but powerful: I want every single girl who attends to leave with the unwavering belief that space is a viable option for their future.
What I’m asking: I’m asking for my fellow space enthusiasts and comrades to donate a small amount ($20-$50) so that we can put up a Space Booth at Dreamer Day 2023; a conference designed to expose young women (+4000 in a single day) to the incredible STEM industries that are available to them! There are currently no, none, 0 space companies involved in this day.
We will be running a brand-agnostic booth and will instead highlight all the industry individuals who choose to donate to the cause! We want to show these girls the incredible international space community that is built of PEOPLE, not just companies.
What I am looking to raise and how I will use it:
Total raise $5000 CAD (approx $3700 USD)
That's only...
- 100 people donating $50 CAD ($37.08 USD)
- 250 people donating $20 CAD ($14.83 USD)
Of the total raise, $1000 CAD will be used to support the booth / staffing / giveaways.
The remaining $4000 CAD will be paid to Build a Dream, the non-profit organization running Dreamer Day.
I am a passionate believer in the unique power of women and their crucial role in shaping the future of space exploration and humanity’s existence in it.
The gender gap perpetuates a lack of diversity in space-related careers and innovation, which is detrimental to the field's success. This is why investing in women and encouraging their pursuit of STEAM roles in space is not only a matter of equality but a critical necessity for our successful future beyond our planet.
I invite you to join me in this transformative journey by making a small donation to my crowdfunding campaign. Every contribution, regardless of its size, sends a resounding message to the world: "WOMEN ARE WELCOME IN SPACE." Let's show these young girls the incredible support of a united global community that believes in their potential to reach for the stars and shape the future of space exploration. Together, we can ensure that women's voices and talents resonate throughout the cosmos.
STATISTICS
Space Sector Globally,
- 1 in 5 Space Industry Workers are Women (UNOOSA)
- Only 11% of all people that have been to space are women (Space Prize)
- Women in STEM, a vital talent pipeline for the space sector, sits at only 22% (Space Prize)
- Women CEOs represent 19% of the leaders in aerospace and defence (UN)
According to the United Nations, in the future, 90% of all jobs will require STEM related skills so, it's disheartening to see that women traditionally avoid STEM-focused careers, as statistics reveal.
In Canada,
- Women are 29.8% less likely than men to enroll in a postsecondary STEM program (Stats Canada, 2023)
- Women in Canada are less likely to enter and more likely to leave STEM fields (Stats Canada, 2019)
- 78% of STEM college students say they decided to study it in high school.
United States,
- Women only represent about 27% of STEM workers in 2019 in the United States (United States Census Board, 2021)
- Women of colour represent only 11.8% of the STEM workforce in the United States (National Science Foundation, 2021)
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ABOUT SPACE6IX:
Space6ix is a diverse community of space enthusiasts, professionals, and curious minds in the Greater Toronto Area, established in May 2023. The group's mission is to ensure that discussions about space are accessible to all, transcending barriers and enabling everyone to participate in dialogues concerning Canada's role in space. Through a variety of activities such as meetups, outreach events, and partnerships with like-minded brands, the group passionately celebrates their shared interest in space. Inclusivity, independence, and community are the core values upheld by this group, and they extend an open invitation to anyone, be it an enthusiast, professional, student, or someone simply inquisitive about the cosmos, to join them. Together, they embark on a journey to explore the wonders of space and make these conversations inclusive for all.
For more information: https://www.linkedin.com/company/space6ix/
ABOUT BUILD A DREAM:
Build a Dream is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting women along their career journeys in traditionally male-dominated fields, including skilled trades, STEM, emergency response, entrepreneurship, and leadership. The organization raises awareness, attracts women to these career pathways, assists with their recruitment into the workforce, and supports their retention and advancement.
For more information: https://www.dreamerday.ca