Inspiration Day 2024: Empowering Girls to Pursue STEM with Arctic Optica and More
On October 29, we celebrated Inspiration Day 2024—an impactful event designed to encourage young women to explore studies and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This day brought together over 213 first-year upper secondary students, including 140 young women, for an immersive day on campus featuring inspiring presentations, hands-on activities, and STEM-focused exhibits.
The morning began with a presentation addressing gendered educational paths and included insights from role models in STEM, followed by lunch and a vibrant exhibition of stands representing various science and technology disciplines. Notable stands included Informatics, Nautical Science and Marine Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Renewable Energy. Each booth featured interactive displays, roll-ups, and educational materials designed to provide students with a glimpse into potential study programs and career paths.
Arctic Optica Inspires Through the Power of Light and Optics
During Inspiration Day 2024, the Arctic Optica Student Chapter hosted a hands-on program, “Opt for Technology – Inspiring Optics,” led by chapter president Jehona Salaj. The activities aimed to break down stereotypes about who can succeed in STEM and provided students with a hands-on exploration of optics.
Jehona’s brief talk tackled common myths around STEM: she debunked the ideas that only straight-A students, math prodigies, or those who “knew from childhood” would thrive in these fields. She emphasized that curiosity, creativity, and resilience are the real keys to success, making STEM accessible to everyone. And most importantly, that women can be not just scientists, but also leaders in science.
In the experimental session, students rotated through engaging optical activities led by Jehona and Roman Zakoldaev, who guided the students in using microscopes and telescopes, including a self-built microscope. Key experiments included:
- Laser Light Communication
Students explored optical fiber communication by coupling laser light into optical fibers. One particularly engaging moment occurred when a student used a laser to send a message through the fiber, which was received by a friend on the other end. This activity illustrated how light can transmit information over long distances, a core principle behind modern fiber optic communication technology. - Exploring Refraction and Reflection
Using lenses, prisms, and mirrors, students observed how light bends and reflects, delving into principles essential for designing lenses in cameras, microscopes, and even telescopes. These experiments allowed the students to see how light can be manipulated and controlled, which is foundational to numerous applications in physics and engineering. - Microscopy and Self-Built Microscopes
The students had the opportunity to use both conventional microscopes and a home-built microscope, where they saw how lenses and light combine to magnify tiny objects. This activity opened a door into the microscopic world and demonstrated the relevance of optics in biology and materials science. - Invisible Ink and Fluorescence with UV Light
To illustrate fluorescence, students wrote messages in invisible ink that became visible only under ultraviolet light. This engaging experiment not only demonstrated the science of fluorescence but also hinted at the many uses of optical technology in fields like forensic science, biochemistry, and even art preservation.
The Arctic Optica activities resonated deeply with students, showing them that optics is more than just theoretical science—it’s the backbone of technologies that shape our daily lives, from telecommunications to medical imaging. The Arctic Optica team emphasized that STEM fields are accessible to everyone, regardless of background, gender, or previous academic achievements.
Arctic Optica’s contribution to Inspiration Day aimed to break down barriers and inspire a new generation to envision their future in STEM, especially in fields like optics and photonics, which are less commonly introduced at the high school level. By providing young women with a hands-on, welcoming experience in real-world optics uses, Arctic Optica not only showcased the possibilities within optical science but also instilled confidence and curiosity in participants who may never have considered such fields before.
The hands-on approach and engaging presentation gave the students a memorable introduction to optics, and the enthusiasm from the Arctic Optica team hopes to leave lasting impression, encouraging these budding scientists to see their own potential in STEM.
Broader Program Highlights and Participation
In the afternoon, students were divided into nine groups to participate in two of eight engaging activities offered by NT Faculty and the Teacher Education Program at ILP, including:
- VR Maneuvering and Stability Testing
- Drone Technology
- AI in Medical Imaging and Music Analysis
- CO2 Capture Technology
- Engineering Design Challenges
Each activity session, lasting approximately 40 minutes, gave students a close-up view of various fields in STEM and hands-on insights into these complex yet fascinating topics.
Positive Feedback and Media Coverage
The feedback from students and teachers after Inspiration Day has been overwhelmingly positive. The event’s success and impact were also recognized by the media, with NRK Nordnytt featuring Inspiration Day. The media coverage captured the energy and engagement of the day, underscoring the potential for events like these to inspire the next generation.
For those interested, catch the segment mentioning Inspiration Day on NRK Nordnytt for highlights of the day!
Thank You to Our Collaborators and Volunteers
A big thank you goes out to our student volunteers, including the stand participants and guides who ensured smooth transitions between activities. Special thanks to Tor Olav Berg, and our contact Vibeke Os. Your dedication to making this day possible has truly inspired us and hopefully also the next generation of scientists and engineers.
As we continue to foster diversity in STEM fields, we hope to see many of these students back on campus in the coming years, ready to dive into the studies and careers they glimpsed during Inspiration Day.
