Technology & Innovation - Issue 11

across the UK, alongside our industry partners. These fantastic events are offered to schools and students in social mobility cold spots, providing their students with what, for many, will likely be their first ever opportunity to connect with industry professionals in a formal setting. During Career Insight Days, we literally open the doors to actual offices for an immersive, creative and hands-on day of exploration intowhat a career in technologywill involve. By far themost valuable part of the day ismeeting the role models. Female students get to see women they can relate to –who often comes from similar backgrounds – actively pursuing successful and rewarding tech careers. 80%of girls attending have later said the days changed their thoughts about the next steps they should take on their own career journeys. This increased understanding and interest then often translates into a realisation of the different career paths available to them, with 70%of female students expressing interest in taking up tech apprenticeships after visiting a Career Insight Day. Our impact andvision With the support of our wonderful industry partners, to date over half a million UK students have accessed our resources and been shown that a rewarding tech career is within their reach. As we enter our fourth year of operating, Tech She Can remains dedicated to driving real and lasting impact, with a particular focus on helping to organise repeat engagements that make a genuine difference. But we can’t do this alone! Please join us by exploring the resources, and by helping to inspire the next generation of technologists. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Becky Patel is Head of Education and Learning at Tech She Can, having previously taught for 10 years across the primary and secondary phases LIVE AND DIRECT Tech She Can designs and delivers engaging and inspiring LIVE virtual lessons to tens of thousands of students at a time, with the aim of showcasing how technology roles are creative, and how technology can be used to solve important problems for people within groups, local communities, across the UK and throughout the wider world. These lessons are perfect for KS3, in that they feature diverse and relatable industry role models who can provide students with a vivid illustration of what the individuals who create world-changing technologies are really like, while showcasing the sheer breadth and depth of tech careers. Schools interested in taking part can sign up for free via techshecan.org/ live-assemblies 59 T E C H I N A C T I O N teachwire.net