High5Girls Strengthens Girls' Interest in Technology and Science

Interest in technology and science among girls aged 13-16 needs strengthening. This is the idea behind an initiative launched by High5Girls – an organization working to open doors to STEM for girls and show them the exciting opportunities within STEM education.

The initiative, which has received a grant of DKK 3.6 million from the Villum Foundation, consists of two three-year projects in Aarhus and Odense. The aim is to foster greater interest in technology and science among girls through local collaboration between HTX high schools, local schools, businesses, and role models.

Declining Interest in STEM

Applications to STEM programs, especially HTX high schools, are on the decline—a worrying sign for industries that demand technical skills. From 2019 to 2023, HTX programs have lost over a third of their applicants, with only 25% of students being girls, who often opt out of subjects like programming and physics.

“HTX offers some truly unique opportunities and skills, and it’s such a shame that more girls don’t experience this. Some girls find technology exciting but end up opting out because they simply don’t feel they belong. High5Girls works to change this pattern and create a new image of what a STEM woman can be,” explains Marianne Andersen, director and founder of High5Girls.

A Collaboration with Broad Impact

Through these two projects, High5Girls will work purposefully to increase HTX enrollment among girls in collaboration with local companies, universities, and HTX high schools.

Over the next 3.5 years, High5Girls will strengthen STEM activities in local communities to change perceptions of women in STEM and foster a positive view of HTX among girls and their parents in Aarhus and Odense. A bridge-building program will introduce girls aged 13-16 to HTX through extracurricular science activities, meetings with STEM role models, and open days where the girls and their parents can try out STEM tasks and gain insight into the educational opportunities.

“The projects include a special effort for female HTX students to motivate more to choose technical fields and give them a strengthened sense of belonging,” says Mette Meltinis, concept developer at High5Girls.

High5Girls has received funding from Danske Commodities to launch the project in Aarhus, and thanks to support from the Villum Foundation, they can now continue the project in Aarhus and expand to Odense in 2025.

Learn more about High5Girls at www.high5girls.dk.