InternationalWomensDay.com have a range of resources for all age groups. I’ve summarised some them below and included links directly to each resource. There is also a detailed reading list for both younger children and older teens which is linked below.
These printable fact sheets are great to promote IWD both virtually and in the classroom or workplace. They contain facts and figures about both IWD as well as gender equality issues.
Case Studies About Inspiring Women
IWD have created case studies full of information about a range of different inspiring women. Although not all are directly related to STEM subjects, there is a breadth of diversity between them. Case studies include:
- Brooke Boney
- Jessica Watson
- Dr. Mae Jemison
- Malala Yousafzai
- Yuna Kim
- Greta Thunberg
- Obiageli Ezekwesili
These activity task cards are perfect for group activities to prompt students to:
- celebrate women’s achievements
- challenge gender stereotypes and bias
- use problem solving and creativity skills
- develop writing, reading and multi-media skills
Note: All documents are in full colour however B&W versions can be downloaded via the link above.
Oxfam Education have a really good range of activities and games for students aged 9-14 years old (although, I would actually say some of them are suitable for older students – I’ll point them out below). The link attached to each activity will take you to a document that contains the instructions for all activities as well as the resources you need for each one (scroll right to the bottom to find them). Each activity prompts students to consider the issues related to gender equality, encourage them to think critically, and inspire them to take action in their own communities. They also have a downloadable powerpoint which has some quiz questions to get students engaged. Again, I would say this could be used for students older than 14 as it contains some really thought provoking stuff.
NOTE: They also have ALL resources and slideshow in Welsh!! (I’m sure anyone who teaches in a Welsh school/teaches in Welsh will understand the excitement about this)
Equibingo (10 – 20 mins)
Probably aimed at the lower end of the 9-14 years old range but it’s a really great resource to identify students current knowledge of famous figures in society which break ‘gender norms’. For example find someone who: “Can name a famous male dancer” or “Can name a famous female scientist”. Definitely a really good engagement activity.
I’d say this activity is aimed at students in the upper end of the age range stated by Oxfam Education, if not older. With the aid of the powerpoint mentioned earlier, students are required to critically analyse the statistics. Including detailing what type of story the statistics tell, finding out where the data comes from and forming a judgement on whether the numbers are reliable. It also suggests that students take the time to collect their own gender equality data and present it however they choose – this could be a great homework task. There are also suggested data sources which could be provided to the students to get them started.
This is a great tool for getting students of all ages to identify gender inequalities in their own school environment or local communities before thinking about solutions to overcome these barriers – there is a note on the activity to stress that students don’t have to take action to overcome the barriers and that campaigning isn’t for everyone. Oxfam Education suggest drawing a brick wall and filling it with their identified gender inequalities and then making paper hammers to “break down the barriers” in a physical sense but obviously with current COVID restrictions this could be adapted to a thought process.
Girls Who STEM 